Calling all Leopard Learners! Design our yearbook cover! Our yearbook theme for 2025 is:

Leopard Adventures in the Emerald City

and we are calling all Lafayette Leopard artists to help design our yearbook cover. The cover contest is open to ALL students.

Deadline to submit artwork is Friday, April 11th!

Students who wish to participate in the cover contest should pick up blank paper and submission instructions which will be available in Ms. Bajaj’s art classroom and on the table by the teacher’s workroom.

Turn in your design at the front office in the PTA mailbox no later than April 11th. The school will select the finalists, and we will send a link where families will be able to cast their vote on their favorite design.

Contest Guidelines:

• Must include the following text: "Lafayette Elementary 2024-2025”.

• The theme is “Leopard Adventures in the Emerald City” so the artwork should relate to the theme in some way (artists are encouraged to get creative!).

• Use an 8.5" x 11" white sheet of paper in vertical format.

• Use any medium but must be bold (markers, pastels, paints, colored pencils, crayons).

• Entries should include the student’s name, teacher, and grade on the back (in pencil!)

• Each student is allowed to submit 1-2 entries.

• The Deadline is April 11th, 2025.

Lafayette Auction 2025: "One Short Night in the Emerald City"
Saturday, April 26th, 2025 - Doors open at 5pm
Brockey Center, South Seattle College

✨ Get Your Tickets!
Tickets available through April 11th! Tickets are flying off the shelves faster than a tornado in Kansas, so be sure to grab yours before they vanish! There's a limited number available—don't miss your chance to be part of this magical night in the Emerald City!

🎁 Donate!
Our procurement team is looking for donations that will make the evening shine brighter than the Wizard's emerald glasses! If you have tickets to sporting events, gift certificates, vacation getaways, or unique experiences you’d like to contribute, we'd love your support. Other enchanted ideas include:

• Sports Tickets or Memorabilia: Help our guests feel like they're on top of the world—you don’t need a yellow brick road to make their dreams come true!

• Unique Gifts & Experiences: Gift cards for local shops, restaurants, or experiences—make someone’s heart soar like the Tin Man after finding a little oil.

• Exclusive Art & Home Décor: Oz-inspired artwork, vintage memorabilia, or beautiful pieces that would make even Glinda envious!

• And so much more—every donation helps us bring Oz-tastic joy to the community!

Please reach out to our procurement team if you’d like to donate: [insert contact information].

🌈 Volunteer!
We need YOU to help make the night as magical as a ruby slipper sparkle! Join us on April 26th to help create an unforgettable evening—whether you’re helping with setup, assisting during the live or silent auction, or guiding guests through the night, your support makes a world of difference!

If you want to volunteer or have any questions, please contact our auction co-chairs:

• Nikki Rice - nikkirice@gmail.com

• Arianna Gervaso - arianna.m.ca@gmail.com

Let’s work together to make this the most wizardly event of the year! We’ll see you on the yellow brick road to a night of fun, food, and unforgettable memories.

Lafayette Skate Nights - Save the Date!

The Lafayette PTA invites you to join our community for Lafayette Roller Skating nights on April 1st-3rd! 

We will split the grades into 3 nights again so there's plenty of room for everyone. Siblings are welcome to join with their sibling’s group, but we ask that each student only attends one night. While we encourage families to attend with their grade level, any Lafayette family can choose to attend the night that works best for them.

Student’s skate free, sponsored by the PTA (please only take a ticket at the door if you plan to skate). Adults are welcome to skate also and can pay at the door. Or bring your own skates if you've got 'em!

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the snack bar, but we do recommend you eat before coming as it's a limited menu and small kitchen.

When: 

Pre-K/Kindergarten/1st Grade: April 1st @ 6-8pm

2nd/3rd Grade: April 2nd @ 6-8pm

4th/5th Grade: April 3rd @ 6-8pm

Where: Southgate Roller Rink

Lafayette Skate Nights - Save the Date!

The Lafayette PTA invites you to join our community for Lafayette Roller Skating nights on April 1st-3rd! 

We will split the grades into 3 nights again so there's plenty of room for everyone. Siblings are welcome to join with their sibling’s group, but we ask that each student only attends one night. While we encourage families to attend with their grade level, any Lafayette family can choose to attend the night that works best for them.

Students and Teachers skate free, sponsored by the PTA (please only take a ticket at the door if you plan to skate). Adults are welcome to skate also and can pay at the door. Or bring your own skates if you've got 'em!

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the snack bar, but we do recommend you eat before coming as it's a limited menu and small kitchen.

When: 

Pre-K/Kindergarten/1st Grade: April 1st @ 6-8pm

2nd/3rd Grade: April 2nd @ 6-8pm

4th/5th Grade: April 3rd @ 6-8pm

Where: Southgate Roller Rink

Lafayette Skate Nights - Save the Date!

The Lafayette PTA invites you to join our community for Lafayette Roller Skating nights on April 1st-3rd! 

We will split the grades into 3 nights again so there's plenty of room for everyone. Siblings are welcome to join with their sibling’s group, but we ask that each student only attends one night. While we encourage families to attend with their grade level, any Lafayette family can choose to attend the night that works best for them.

Student’s skate free, sponsored by the PTA (please only take a ticket at the door if you plan to skate). Adults are welcome to skate also and can pay at the door. Or bring your own skates if you've got 'em!

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the snack bar, but we do recommend you eat before coming as it's a limited menu and small kitchen.

When: 

Pre-K/Kindergarten/1st Grade: April 1st @ 6-8pm

2nd/3rd Grade: April 2nd @ 6-8pm

4th/5th Grade: April 3rd @ 6-8pm

Where: Southgate Roller Rink

Classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays have been extended one week, due to the snow days. Tuesday Spanish and Guitar will end 3/25, and Miss Reese Fashion Club will end 4/2.

This year's Winter Enrichment Session will run from January 21 - March 20; no classes during midwinter break. The full list/descriptions of upcoming classes are already posted!

• As always, we will need parent volunteers! Parent volunteers get 1 free class for a student, and early registration. 
   

• Scholarships are available - 1 per student (not per family). All the family must do is email us at lafayette.enrichment@gmail.com and tell us the name of the student, their Lafayette teacher name, and the enrichment class they're interested in. No hurdles; no application process. 
   

Enrichment Enrollment begins at 7pm on January 9th and closes on January 17th. Register early to reserve your spot!

Join us for the PTA General Meeting, 6:30-8:00 in the Lafayette Cafeteria. Come learn about what is happening at the school and let your voice be heard!

We hope you can join us in person, but if not, please join us on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83365866466

All are welcome! You do not need to be a PTA member to attend.

Madison Middle School Open House (“Explore Madison Night”) for incoming 6th grade families

Thursday, March 6, 2025

6:30-8:00pm

Open House for Incoming 6th Grade Families - Madison Middle School

Join us for a full evening beginning with Principal’s welcome followed by classroom visits and teacher presentations. We’ll start right at 6:30pm, so please arrive on time as we have a busy schedule. Space is limited and last year was very crowded, so Madison is asking families to make this event for adults/parents only (if possible). Student tours and 6th grade orientation will come at a later date.

 *No RSVP required

Join us for Family Game Night at Lafayette! The AMAZING Meeples Games (a local game shop) will bring a bunch of games – come try them out and find your new favorite! Games for all ages will be available, as well as for groups small and large. This event is always a huge success, we hope you can make it!

Tuesday, February 4th @ 6:30-8:00pm

Lafayette Cafeteria

REFLECTIONS CITY WIDE CELEBRATION!

Axis Pioneer Square (308 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104)

Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 2PM - 4PM

Light appetizers and drinks will be provided

Join us in celebrating our appreciation of the Arts and our artists. 14 Seattle Public Schools PTA participated this year, and we wanted to showcase the students' work. 30 of our artists will be advancing to Washington State. Seattle Council PTSA to Recognize Students for their Outstanding Works of Art in 2024-2025 National PTA Reflections Program Event to feature performances and exhibit of student artwork.

FEATURING ALUMNI SPEAKERS FROM KEY TO CHANGE

Seattle Council PTSA will host an awards ceremony at Axis Pioneer Square
to honor students for their imagination, creativity and interpretation of the theme “Accepting Imperfections” in the 2024-2025 National PTA Reflections program. During the event, community members will discuss the significance of the arts and the benefits of arts education. The event also will feature music and literary readings by student honorees as well as an exhibit of student artwork.

The Art Show will feature student work from:

Adams Elementary School • Bryant Elementary School • Franz Coe Elementary School • John Hay Elementary School • Kimball Elementary School • Laurelhurst Elementary School • Lafayette Elementary • Magnolia Elementary • Sanislo Elementary School • Whittier Elementary School • Hazel Wolf K-8 • Eckstein Middle School • Whitman Middle School • and Garfield High School

CONTACT: June Nho Ivers
Reflections Co-Chair
reflections_chair@scptsa.org

More info: 2024-25 Reflections City Results — Seattle Council PTSA

Volunteers: Sign-up to help with set-up and prep

Lafayette Spirit Wear 

Ordering is open for this year's assortment of Lafayette spirit wear. Visit the online store here: 

https://lafayetteelementary.givebacks.com/store 

Ordering will be open through January 31, 2025 and items will be delivered to your student's classroom mid-February.

JANUARY 30, 2025

Register Here

Carpool Interest Form - Closes January 26th

Sign up to Volunteer!

ADVOCACY DAY IN OLYMPIA 

On January 30th, 2025 communities from across Washington will converge on Olympia to hold the ultimate Billion Dollar Bake Sale as part of an Statewide Advocacy Day for Public Schools! This will be a fun way to build community, get trained in advocacy, and to make our demands clear to the legislature:

• Prevent devastating school district cuts for 2025-26

• Secure at least $4 billion per year of stable long-term funding for K-12 public education

• Commit to making Washington State a leader in public education

The campaign team is scheduling legislator meetings for attendees who register by January 17th. Meet with your legislators in Olympia or virtually to urge them to prioritize fully funding K-12 public education this legislative session.

Advocacy Day Schedule:

• 8:30am - Check-in and sign-making (indoor location)

• 9:00am - 10:00am - Welcome, Advocacy trainings, and Legislative District meet-ups (indoor location)

• 10:00am - March to outdoor Rally at the Tivoli Fountain outside the Capitol Building (5-minute walk from indoor location)

• 10:15am - 11:00am - Rally at Tivoli Fountain with guest speakers

• 11:00am - 3pm - Legislator meetings, free time for lunch at indoor location or exploring the Capitol Campus (link)

This event will be primarily in-person with some potential virtual legislator meetings (select that option when registering; may not be available to all).

Please plan to walk or provide your own transportation. Fill out registration information if you are willing to carpool or need a ride. Park and bus information for the state capitol can be found here.

Advocacy Day FAQs:

Are children welcome? Yes, children are welcome to participate, but we will not have childcare available. There are activities set up for school field trips that may have capacity for you and your child to attend, but field trips will receive priority if space is limited.

How do I get prepared to talk with my legislator? For large groups, not everyone will need to talk to their legislators. We will have a recorded training the week before the event and will provide talking points.

How can I get to Olympia? For folks who register, we will connect you with others in your same community who have indicated they will have space to carpool. 

What should I wear and bring? Will there be food? Wear red and warm clothes, and please pack snacks and a lunch. The campaign team is fundraising to provide additional food and drinks.

Stay after SEL Pizza night for a Live Stream of "Raising Resilient Kids in the Digital Age," a West Seattle community conversation hosted by Gatewood Elementary about social media, smartphones, and a mental health epidemic. Join us to discuss the impacts, causes, and solutions for our community, with an option to pledge to wait until high school for smartphones and age 16 for social media accounts. The panel will be summarizing the contents of the book “The Anxious Generation”, by Jonathan Haidt, and offering perspectives from local doctors, parents, and mental health professionals, including:

Jillian Moshay, MD - Lafayette Parent
Elizabeth Jordan, MD - Genesee Hill Parent 
Caitlyn McGuire, teacher - Gatewood Parent 
Megan Fisher, LMHC - Gatewood Parent

We will then conclude the evening with a short update on PTA General Meeting business!

Full Schedule for the Evening

• 4:00-5:00 PM: Incoming ‘25-’26 Kindergarten open house tours.

• 5:00-5:30 PM: Pizza – Enjoy a casual dinner and connect with other Lafayette families.

• 5:30-5:55 PM: SEL Session 1 – Attend your first session of choice.

• 6:00-6:25 PM: SEL Session 2 – Attend your second session of choice.

• 6:30-7:45 PM: Live Stream of Gatewood’s “Raising Resilient Kids in the Digital Age” panel discussion.

• 7:45-8:00 PM: PTA General Meeting.

CHILDCARE: Unfortunately, we will not have childcare available tonight. While the evening is geared towards adults, children may attend, but they will need to stay with their adult throughout the evening.

We HIGHLY recommend attending in person (information and tables will be available at the event that you will not be able to see online) but if you aren't able to make it, we have a virtual option and we will be recording it and sharing that link at a later time. 

Topic: Raising Resilient Kids In The Digital Age
Time: Jan 28, 2025 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 853 9942 1771
Passcode: 863293

For more information on the Raising Resilient Kids in the Digital Age discussion panel event, click here.

All are welcome! You do not need to be a PTA member to attend.

Join us in the cafeteria for pizza night to connect with other Lafayette families before we dive in with our counselor, Kenna Hart, who will lead parents and caregivers through some Social Emotional Learning (SEL) interactive discussion sessions! Check out the sessions offered below to decide which you will attend.

Full Schedule for the Evening

• 4:00-5:00 PM: Incoming ‘25-’26 Kindergarten open house tours.

• 5:00-5:30 PM: Pizza – Enjoy a casual dinner and connect with other Lafayette families.

• 5:30-5:55 PM: SEL Session 1 – Attend your first session of choice.

• 6:00-6:25 PM: SEL Session 2 – Attend your second session of choice.

• 6:30-7:45 PM: Live Stream of Gatewood’s “Raising Resilient Kids in the Digital Age” panel discussion.

• 7:45-8:00 PM: PTA General Meeting.

SEL Sessions Offered:

• Second Step: Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset This workshop delves into the concept of a Growth Mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and learning—versus a Fixed Mindset, where people believe their abilities are static. Learn how you can help children develop a growth mindset and approach challenges with confidence.

• RULER Introduction: Mood Meter and Meta Moment This session introduces the RULER approach, focusing on the Mood Meter, a tool to help individuals recognize and understand their emotions. Additionally, participants will explore the Meta Moment, which offers strategies for managing emotions effectively in challenging situations.

• Positive Discipline: Introduction for Families This session focuses on the Positive Discipline approach, which emphasizes mutual respect, encouragement, and effective discipline strategies that promote healthy child development. We will share practical tools to address common family challenges.

• Conflict Resolution Workshop: This workshop will explore techniques and strategies for resolving conflicts in a constructive manner. Parents will learn how to guide their children in resolving disputes peacefully and creating solutions that build empathy and respect.

Know an incoming ‘25-‘26 Kindergarten family?

Volunteers and staff will be leading Kindergarten tours Tuesday, Jan 14th from 8am-9am and Tuesday, Jan 28th from 4pm-5pm. This event is for parents to see the classrooms and meet our team of Kindergarten Teachers before next school year. Come to the front of the school and check in with Kathy at the main office when you arrive.

Tuesday, January 14th 8-9am

Tuesday, January 28th 4-5pm

Please help spread the word! RSVPs are appreciated but not required to kajohnson@seattleschools.org . If parents can’t make this event, they are welcome to call or email the front office and schedule a mutually convenient/date time.

Interested in volunteering to show families around our wonderful school? Email Kathy Johnson kajohnson@seattleschools.org today!

Address: 2645 California Ave SW
Phone: (206) 252-9500

Come see the Harlem Globetrotters! 

Lafayette has reserved 100 tickets in Sections 8 for the Harlem Globetrotters event at Climate Pledge Arena – tickets must be purchased by December 2nd! $52 per ticket.
 
January 26th, 2025, 3:00 - 4:30pm
 
Purchase Tickets Here!

Welcome to the Lafayette Jungle Dance Party! Mark your calendars for this fun and free event for the whole family!

Join us Friday, January 24th from 6:00-7:30 PM in the Lafayette Elementary Cafeteria. Your whole family is invited to come and party like (friendly) animals! These dances are always a big hit with the kiddos, and with last year's addition of a new PTA-purchased sound system, the cafeteria really rocks! There will be a photo booth, and drinks and snacks for purchase, as well as our new 2025 Spirit Wear for sale!

Note that all students must have a chaperone with them during the event.

Starting on Monday, January 13th, there will be a song request box outside of the front office. Students should add the name of their favorite songs, so we can hear them at the dance.

Volunteers, signup here!

The PTA will be hosting a school assembly on Wednesday, January 22nd with Taproot Theatre’s presentation of Rocks!, a play about bullying prevention and celebrating differences. This event is only for students.

Rocks! by Melanie Godsey (NEW for the 2024-2025 school year.)

S’mores, stargazing, swimming—Jamie’s family promises him that Camp Obsidian is a hidden gem. And when he makes friends with Casey on the first day, he knows this camp could rock. But when Casey’s jealousy spreads like poison ivy, Jamie gets caught between a rock and a hard place. Is Jamie really being bullied? Or is it all a harmless prank? The other campers and Jasper, the down-to-earth counselor, will leave no stone unturned to make it the best summer ever.

1-hour presentation including performance and actor-led talkback.

Rocks! Explores:

• Bullying Prevention

• How to be an Upstander

• Celebrating Differences

• Empathy

This year's Winter Enrichment Session will run from January 21 - March 20; no classes during midwinter break. The full list/descriptions of upcoming classes are already posted!

• As always, we will need parent volunteers! Parent volunteers get 1 free class for a student, and early registration. 
   

• Scholarships are available - 1 per student (not per family). All the family must do is email us at lafayette.enrichment@gmail.com and tell us the name of the student, their Lafayette teacher name, and the enrichment class they're interested in. No hurdles; no application process. 
   

Enrichment Enrollment begins at 7pm on January 9th and closes on January 17th. Register early to reserve your spot!

Lafayette Teachers and Admin have organized a MLK Jr. Assembly on Friday, Jan. 17th at 9:00 am in the Lafayette cafeteria.

Know an incoming ‘25-‘26 Kindergarten family?

Volunteers and staff will be leading Kindergarten tours Tuesday, Jan 14th from 8am-9am and Tuesday, Jan 28th from 4pm-5pm. This event is for parents to see the classrooms and meet our team of Kindergarten Teachers before next school year. Come to the front of the school and check in with Kathy at the main office when you arrive.

Tuesday, January 14th 8-9am

Tuesday, January 28th 4-5pm

Please help spread the word! RSVPs are appreciated but not required to kajohnson@seattleschools.org . If parents can’t make this event, they are welcome to call or email the front office and schedule a mutually convenient/date time.

Interested in volunteering to show families around our wonderful school? Email Kathy Johnson kajohnson@seattleschools.org today!

Address: 2645 California Ave SW
Phone: (206) 252-9500

Lafayette’s annual Holiday Music Sing-Along assembly led by our Music Teacher, Mr. Payne will be on the morning of Friday, December 20th! All of the classrooms will be singing a song. Parents are welcome to join in the cafeteria, and this year there will be two groups. Feel free to join us!

Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade - 8:15am

3rd, 4th & 5th Grade - 9:15am

Arrive a little early to sign in at the office, we can't wait to sing with you!

Reminder: One-hour early dismissal on Friday at 1:25pm!

Winter Craft Festival - Friday, December 13th at 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Come one, come all, to this fun filled event for the entire Lafayette Community! The carolers and festive decorations will be back again this year, along with a cookie decorating station, hot chocolate, popcorn, and the main event, CRAFTS!!! This is a great way to stock up on gifts before the holidays!

The festival is free to attend, and open to the public. Hot chocolate, popcorn, cookie decorating, and artisanal crafts will be available for purchase. Many sellers will be CASH ONLY so come prepared! Participants must have adult supervision at all times.

This is meant to be a fun opportunity for students, families and the community to create something and sell their wares. Student spots are $5 and non-student spots are $25 per section (1/4 of a lunch table, about 3’x3’). You can make anything your heart desires! We’ve seen it all – from jewelry and handmade soaps, to pins and slime, to holiday decorations and everything in between.

Selling space for Crafters is limited, so register for your spot early! Registration deadline for Crafters is December 11th. REGISTER HERE

CALLING VOLUNTEERS: This event needs a lot of support to make it a reality! Please sign-up to help!

Questions about the event? Email us!

Join us for Family Game Night at Lafayette! The AMAZING Meeples Games (a local game shop) will bring a bunch of games – come try them out and find your new favorite! Games for all ages will be available, as well as for groups small and large. This event is always a huge success, we hope you can make it!

Thursday, November 21st @ 6:30-8:00pm

Lafayette Cafeteria

RSVP Here

Sign up to Help Teach the Games Here (this is a great volunteer opportunity for older kids!)

Our All School Movie Field Trip to Admiral is coming up on Nov. 20th!

To celebrate our students' hard work and success of surpassing our goal for our Move-A-Thon, we will be taking an ALL SCHOOL field trip over to the Admiral Theater for a movie party. The students will be voting on a selection of movies: G Rated for grades K-3, PG for grades 4-5.

We need volunteers to help get our kids down to the theater, snacks handed out and safely back to school after the show. We need A LOT of parent help to make this work. But this can't happen without your help! We need at least two volunteers per grade plus volunteers to pass out snacks and help students find seats.

Sign up to Volunteer HERE!

Lafayette will be highlighting our student's creativity as part of the National PTA Reflections Art contest! Ms Bajaj & the PTA will be working with your students to create visual arts pieces inspired by this year's theme "Accepting Imperfection." K-2 will be working with Ms Bajaj on their pieces in the classroom, while Grades 3-5 will be encouraged to complete a piece outside of class.

Lafayette PTA will be accepting entries only in the Visual Arts category this year.

• Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, 2D collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling, architectural drawing and models, ceramics, crafts, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, and sculpture.

• Reproductions or enlargements of other artwork are not accepted.

• Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme. 

Local Timeline:

• Nov 15 - Student entries due to Ms. Bajaj

• Nov 22 - Lafayette Winners announced

• Dec 2 - Winning entries submitted for Seattle Council PTSA competition & placed on public display

• Feb - Seattle Council PTSA hosts an in-person celebration

If you're interested in supporting students as they create art or being a part of our school's selection committee, please reach out to becky.brownlee@gmail.com

For more details: Reflections Art Contest: Nov 15 — Lafayette Elementary School PTA (lafayettepta.com)

Be a Mench(ies) Chaperone! 

Help us celebrate our Move-A-Thon top earners with a frozen yogurt party at Menchies on November, 13th from 12:05-1:05pm! Chaperones are needed to walk kids from school across the street to Menchies and back.

Sign up to Chaperone HERE!