Raptor Report

When this year started, I was deeply worried for the future of PFLASA and LASA. And while I am still dismayed at the current state of public education funding, I am far more optimistic. As I write this we are almost two-thirds away from our goal with strong pledges of further support. A freshman parent, Anna Land, has stepped up to be VP this year and will continue leading this organization. PFLASA is currently funding multiple grant requests from teachers and staff. We successfully pulled off two teacher meals a week apart. Finally, PFLASA’s multiple meetings have been well attended and volunteers are stepping up to support our many efforts. I want to thank all our volunteers and contributors publicly.

But if you haven’t donated, now is the time. The funding PFLASA receives not only supports LASA’s teachers, staff, students, and programing, but our larger community. As a LASA parent wrote to us: “Financial contribution to PFLASA is super important to sustaining community; building events such as parent coffees, grade level parent gatherings, the petting zoo, and Coffee House to name just a few.” In my first appeal, I wrote about how LASA is a special school for unique kids. But part of what makes LASA special is its parent community. PFLASA works hard to connect that parent community for the good of the students but also for you. Because when you have questions, PFLASA has answers and support.

So why have you not donated yet? For some people they don’t know how much to give. Basic math tells us that if everyone gave $100 per student, we would more than meet our goal. But approximately 15% of LASA is economically disadvantaged and there is a cohort that is just above that line. The fact is that PFLASA relies upon donations big and small. So please donate today so that your child’s school and community can remain strong.

Regards,

Ellen Stewart-Klein
PFLASA President

Did you know that approximately 15% of LASA is economically disadvantaged which means they qualify for free and reduced lunch? Thanks to support for the No Hassle Fundraiser, last year, PFLASA was able to subsidize all AP tests for these kids. PFLASA also made funds available for any other families who needed some help.

And I have no idea who they are because LASA administers this process so there is complete confidentiality. Bottom line, PFLASA is here to support students and families.

We hope your students are taking advantage of the PFLASA Study Groups which provides free tutoring to any LASA student who shows up. Those tutors are college kids often majoring in these subjects and vetted by the teachers. Maybe your student enjoys the Petting Zoo. As a Fall Stressbuster before finals, PFLASA brings in a host of adorable and interesting animals to bring joy to a group of stressed out students. Or perhaps your child has visited the Wellness Counselors for which PFLASA has provided staffing funds. And if none of the above apply to your student, PFLASA’s reach still touches them, like assisting Ms. Switek as she adds more books to the library, or providing classroom materials.

PFLASA is more than your typical or even active PTA. We work hard to support our teachers as 35% of our budget goes just to that. But we also support LASA with recruiting tools which is important for a magnet school particularly one that wants to be racially and economically diverse. We support your students. And we support the entire LASA community with social events like our mini-ACL fest called Coffeehouse. But we can’t do all this and more without funding. Please donate today to our No Hassle Fundraiser: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=7HQP35LCPJ792

In case you think all PFLASA meetings are long, this one ran about 20 minutes. After which we heard from AP San Czaplinski. Since this meeting had a lighter agenda, I was able to have our Board members introduce themselves and welcome our new Vice President Anna Land. We are still looking for shadowing and help with various committees including Tutoring. Tutoring could use a shadow but also a parent who has time once or twice a month to check out how its going. Please email me for details. We had our Wellness Committee Chair update us on their new name “Raising Healthy Raptors” so that we can avoid confusion with the actual LASA Wellness Counselors. That update was posted to Facebook and went out through the Google Groups but we plan to start posting those in the Raptor Report. We had a quick mention that the FLASH Auction is still looking for tickets especially ACL and a quick status update on where the NHF was. The next meeting is 9/20 at 8:15 am in the portable and we will be collecting checks for NHF!