We are still looking for senior star power for Senior Salute! We’re rescheduling auditions to 5/2 and will be a firm date to get it done before APs!
We need:
Please complete this form by 4/30 if you’re interested!
AP testing spans two weeks in May beginning on 5/5 and ending 5/16. Many students go directly from test to test, with less than 10 minutes to refuel between tests. PFLASA coordinates breakfasts and snacks to fuel these hardworking minds and bodies. We are looking for a shadow to learn the ropes for next year, as well as people interested in serving as a planning committee.
Duties could include: scheduling volunteers, set up/break down of breakfasts and snacks, setting up and maintaining spreadsheets, working within a budget to arrange the necessary food and snacks for the 2 week testing period, and communicating with volunteers, staff, and vendors.
Email president@pflasa.org to learn more.
A call for AP Breakfast and AP Snack volunteers will be coming soon.
Please join us for our final Master Class of the year. CLICK HERE for tickets.
Introduction to the Common App Personal Statement with Erin Edwards of EE College Essays Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The personal statement is your primary college application essay, arguably the most important written component of your application. Every competitive school that embraces a holistic applicant review process will tell you this essay is crucial. My class will provide a thorough introduction to the personal statement—what it is, what you really need to know about it, when to work on it, what to avoid, what to embrace, and what a successful PS looks like. This class will particularly benefit juniors, but all students and parents are welcome. Bring your questions! I love to answer them.
Naviance: How do I get Started? with Geeta Suggs, former LASA webmaster and Alum parents at 6:30 pm, Wednesday, April 30.
Hey LASA Junior Parents! Join us for a very informal Naviance class. This Zoom class is geared to parents and will not be recorded. This class if offered free of charge.
From Geeta:
As I’ve done in the past, I’m volunteering myself and what little I know to you about the college process (yes, I have a LASA 2020 and 2024 grad) but more specifically, Naviance and how to start there. I am no expert, but I can get you started and show you how to explore things. I have done this for junior parents for a few years now and it seemed helpful. Expect an hour max and I’ll point out some resources on the LASA website too.
Please sign up so we can correctly prepare our Zoom. Sign up can be found here: https://lasa.austinschools.org/school/signups (coming soon)
It takes a village to raise our children. That village has taken many shapes and forms throughout their school years: devoted teachers, principals, librarians, staff, mentors, and other parents.
The LASA community is a community like no other. As we prepare to launch our LASA Class of 2025, we hope you will consider serving in their last LASA village by volunteering at the Project Graduation 2025 lock-in at the East Communities YMCA on June 3-4. We need adult volunteers across all grade levels to help by volunteering for a 4 hour shift during the event.
It is a fun event and the volunteers have a great time. This sign-up has details about the roles and shifts, but if you have any questions, feel free to drop us a note at projectgraduation@pflasa.org.
Lights! Camera! Dance!
Attend the LASA Dance Spring Show at the AISD Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 3, 2025 @ 6:00pm!
You do not want to miss this annual dance event featuring Velocity and Dynasty Dance Teams with special guests including: Choreopop, Lamar Middle School Dance, and more! There will be concessions and a silent auction.
Tickets are sold online and at the door via cash or credit card: https://lasadance.ludus.com/200481356
For questions, please contact: paige.edwards@austinisd.org
Two things dominated this PFLASA meeting. First, the 25-26 PFLASA Board was elected! Terms start July 1st, but say thank you to all the people stepping us to run PFLASA. The new board:
As important as electing and celebrating next year’s officers is, most of the meeting (and afterward in our discussion with Principal Crescenzi) was about the changes to magnet transportation. Next year AISD is switching to a hub system. This means a switch away from the LASA bus stop being at your local elementary and to your local middle or high school. Yes, this is unlikely to be a walkable distance from your home. Yes, I realize this is unpopular, but you will be shocked to find out that I am not in charge of this decision. Realistically with the avalanche of budget cuts ahead, AISD has no good choices. (May I suggest you channel your anger and go the lasaptsa.org to find out how to advocate for school funding?). The reality is the hub system is going to happen and now is our opportunity to pro-actively anticipate problems. To that end, PFLASA has created a transportation survey to use the collective power of our knowledge to bring those problems to light. With this information LASA can go to the AISD transportation department and try to get things resolved. I understand this is very upsetting to many if not most of you. I understand this may decrease economic diversity at LASA. I also understand the need to vent. But I have no ability to change or revert the new system. Telling PFLASA these things in our survey isn’t helpful. What is helpful is telling us of known dangerous areas, huge traffic problems, or any other problem you can foresee. PFLASA is putting the survey out through every communication channel we have BUT we have very limited ways to contact incoming parents of rising Raptors. If you know one of those families, please send the survey to them! For information on the new system including how to determine your hub go: https://www.austinisd.org/transportation/bus-hub-faqs
On that grim note, I turn to happier news. The format change to the New Parent Coffee (during the elective fair on Choice Sheet Day) was a success and we plan to switch to that model next year. We still having a master class available AND Geeta Suggs (LASA Parent Alum) will be returning to do an “Intro to Naviance” as a free class!!
And finally, I am asking for help for next year. We need help feeding teachers! PFLASA holds four meal events during the year to support teachers, staff, and administration. Our current hospitality chair is graduating, and we need 4-6 people who want to take these events on. With a committee that size, one person could be in charge or every event could be hosted by a different member—it will be up to the committee. Most importantly, the last meal of the year is coming up soon (the End of School Year Luncheon), which is an amazing opportunity to shadow and learn the ropes before next year. And if you are interested in feeding students, we also need a shadow for AP Breakfast this year to chair it for next year. Want to volunteer, have questions, want to tell me how much the new transportation system sucks? Email me at president@pflasa.org
Next meeting is April 25th at 8:15 in the PFLASA Portable (NOT on Good Friday which is an AISD holiday).
Trying to help but of very limited power,
Ellen Stewart-Klein
PFLASA President
Tickets are now on sale for Project Graduation! $10! Don’t miss out!
Project Graduation is an annual LASA tradition, attended each year by almost every graduated Senior. It is a fun-filled evening with live entertainment, casino games, including a poker table with dealers, a pool, sports courts, games, movies, karaoke, quiet spaces, creative spaces and food for all. There is literally something for everyone.
Full details provided in the LASA 2025 Project Graduation Contract & Dietary Preferences. Look for the link on the purchase confirmation page. Contracts must be completed by parent and student to attend.
Seniors (and Senior Parents)! We need senior star power for Senior Salute! We’re rescheduling auditions to 4/11 to allow another week to get those submissions in.
Needed:
Please complete this form ASAP if you’re interested (performance videos can be submitted later).
The Raptor baseball season is in full swing, and the Booster Club has several fun events coming up. Mark your calendars and come support the team!