Raptor Report

No meeting to recap this week but we are meeting Friday at 8:15am in the PFLASA Portable (next to the Tennis Courts). Come join us!

The next few months will get busier and busier for PFLASA. And after spring break is a mad rush into AP Testing & Breakfast, Coffeehouse, and celebrating with our Seniors at Senior Salute and Project Graduation. We will also need to prepare and vote for next year’s budget and elect a new board. So this is where I beg you to help us. Not just for these upcoming events which requires masses of volunteers but also to take over the various roles that PFLASA needs to function for next year.

Yes, we need volunteers for the Board which requires a two-year commitment. But we also have much smaller roles that are entirely virtual or only require a few hours total. We have shadow positions where you help and observe an event before running it. One example is that PFLASA needs its own webmaster. Our dedicated, long-time volunteer needs a well-deserved break. This job is entirely online and involves updating the website with new content. But we also have roles in recruiting, events, and community building. Yes, PFLASA needs money to accomplish its goals but one of things that makes PFLASA so effective with that money is the number of talented and dedicated volunteers. Every year parents “graduate” with their LASA student and we need to replace them. NOW is the time to find your role before the expertise walks out the door. Whatever your job, talent, or interest PFLASA has a role for you. Because the truth is that public schools need volunteers to function at their best. So email me now at president@pflasa.org (no commitment required).

Please help!
Ellen Stewart-Klein
PFLASA President

This is an early save the date that the February 21 PFLASA meeting will be a joint PTSA meeting where PTSA has invited AISD Trustees to attend. After the meeting, PFLASA will also stuff envelopes for acceptance letters for LASA Admissions which is fun time. More info to come!

Our second January was even shorter than our short meetings so that the Board could gather to vote and discuss multiple important issues. I’m pleased to announce that the board approved, and I have signed the venue contracts for two of our biggest events!

Coffeehouse is the LASA music festival that helps celebrate the end of AP testing weeks. As the school (and the city) have grown finding an affordable venue and getting the necessary equipment has proven challenging. But the volunteer efforts of our longtime PFLASA volunteer have paid off! We have signed to have Coffeehouse at LifeAustin Events Mueller. Not only does this new venue fit our space needs but it has parking, is centrally located, and will include the equipment rentals necessary to host the show. This project is a labor of love for the LASA staff, kids, and volunteers who work hard to make it happen every year. More information to come BUT for right now mark your calendars for Friday, May 16th! And explain to your student that this venue has an extremely strict anti-vaping (and smoking) policy. Our sincere hope is that that this venue will become Coffeehouse’s home for many years to come.

We have also signed with a new venue for Senior Salute. That is a special ceremony for graduating seniors where they receive the magnet endorsement. It started when LASA was still part of LBJ to have something to distinguish them from the very rigid requirements of the AISD graduation ceremony. But now it is a beloved and meaningful tradition that more kids attend than graduation. The new venue is Austin Ridge Bible Church and our Senior Salute Chairs are so excited about this space. Don’t have a senior? This is actually good news for all classes. Just like the problems with finding a larger, affordable venue for Coffeehouse, LASA has struggled to find one for Senior Salute and the past venue the Long Center is prohibitively expensive. This beautiful space meets all our needs and again we hope will become the long-term plan for this event.

If it isn’t obvious both venues are churches. I understand that some people might object to that. This is not something that I take lightly because we want both events to be welcoming to all people. It is my understanding that these are not venues with a lot of Christian iconography. And these venues not only meet our spatial and parking needs, but they offer significantly lower rental rates than are otherwise available. PFLASA is always working to be the best stewards of your donated funds. The cost savings from both venues will allow us to put more money towards things that directly affect your child’s education while preserving important and valuable LASA traditions.

I realize that the signing of contracts may not seem to be exciting, but both signed contracts are the result of hundreds of hours of volunteer time. I am again inspired by the dedication and hard work of our parent volunteers and the commitment to finding long-term solutions.

At the extra-short meeting we recapped the success of the Showcase Teacher Dinner, upcoming master classes and had a treasurer’s report. PFLASA has also wrapped up the four Find Your Fit Panel events held during the COGAT admission testing. These have been a big success from all reports.

Our next meeting is Friday, February 7th at 8:15am in the PFLASA Portable. As always if you have feedback on anything above or anything in general, please write me at president@pflasa.org.

Hoping everyone enjoyed the four-day weekend,

Ellen Stewart-Klein
PFLASA President