Los Alamitos Unified School District
Richard Henry Lee Elementary School (562) 799-4540
11481 Foster Road Los Alamitos, California 90720 Fax (562) 799-4550
Sherry Kropp, Ed. D. Amy Laughlin, M.A.Ed.
Superintendent National Blue Ribbon School and California Gold Ribbon School Principal
August 16, 2016
Dear Lee Families,
Welcome to the 2016-17 school year! As we celebrate the Olympic Games in Rio, I’m reminded of the parallels of Team USA and Team LEE. Members of both teams work tirelessly for the good of the Team. Olympic Champions have a commitment to excellence and the courage to succeed. Like Gold Medalists, LEE teachers and students know Greatness Requires Internal Toughness: GRIT.
Our Game Plan
Lee has an “in it to win it” attitude for every single student. We strive to provide our students experiences which require them to THINK HARD. The following are the highlights of our focus this year:
Continued delivery of instruction in signature practices from a “growth mindset.” This philosophy assumes that all students possess abilities that can be developed. This is counter to a “fixed mindset” where some students succeed and some students fail. At Lee, all students succeed. We work diligently to develop the abilities of all students. This starts with best first instruction in reading and math followed by differentiated instruction and strategic groupings to support all students. Intensive intervention ensures all struggling students have targeted support in needed areas. A growth mindset also challenges students to push their thinking to higher levels.
A reinvention of our Makerspace. Makerspace has been moved to the Media Center in order for students to receive weekly STEAM instruction from Mrs. Chambers. The design, test, analyze, and recreate model of engineering in Makerspace is the ideal place for students to show GRIT. We embrace failed attempts because learning takes place when students are working outside of their comfort zones.
Recognition of students for their work in the PROCESS instead of simply the end product. We, as teachers, will work hard to be interesting and engaging, but we will never be easy. The integration of signature practices like CGI and Depth and Complexity will allow students access and opportunity to gain knowledge through the PROCESS of learning new content.
New Gold Medal Staff!
There have been some staff changes over the summer. As a result, four teachers have changed grade levels and we’ve added three teachers to Team Lee:
Wendy Wood will teach 2nd grade for 80% of her contract. She is also our new 20% TOSA hired to assist with administrative duties.
Welcome Mrs. Julie Lynes as Ms. Wood’s teaching “partner.” Mrs. Lynes will teach Ms. Wood’s class when she is completing administrative duties. Mrs. Lynes has been working as an intervention teacher at Lee for many years.
Andrea Siersma will teach 1st grade.
Mary Cole will teach 2nd grade.
Nikki Evans will teach 3rd grade.
Welcome Ms. Ada Jaspers to our Kindergarten Team! As a kindergarten teacher in south Orange County for the last 5 years, Ada was a kindergarten team leader who focused on CGI math and Problem-Based Learning. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Education from UCLA. You’ll see her each summer teaching Jr. Lifeguards at the HB pier!
Welcome back Ms. Jennifer Hofland to our 1st Grade Team! Jennifer graduated with a Master’s degree in Education from University of La Verne. Jen has been busy traveling with her kids and getting her daughter, Taylor, ready for Oak Middle School. We’re excited to see Jen and her kids, Kendall and Beckham, back at Lee this year!
Welcome Mrs. Lisa Discenna to our 4th Grade Team! After graduating with honors from Wayne State University in Detroit, Lisa taught in her home-state of Michigan, followed by a teaching assignment in Hermosa Beach. Last year, Lisa completed a year-long substitute assignment at LAE. Lisa, her husband, and their 12-year old yellow lab just bought a new home in Long Beach!
Welcome our music teacher, Mrs. Suzanne McElderry! Suzanne has been the full-time music teacher at McGaugh and Hopkinson for many years. Suzanne will continue the powerful music program started at Lee last year! She is looking forward to expanding our 4th and 5th grade chorus.
Welcome our new school psychologist, Mrs. Danielle Grissom! Danielle spent many years working in schools in the Los Angeles area. Though her experience is vast, her greatest accomplishment is the birth of her first child, Lola, born in June!
This year we will be expanding our CDC program. Ms. Christi Padden’s CDC preschool classroom is relocating to Lee from Weaver. Christi’s class will be in Room B.
A Few Reminders:
Please note our new 8:05 a.m. start time! A warning bell will ring at 8:00 a.m.
Please subscribe to our new Week-Lee Newsletter platform. Visit http://eepurl.com/b9ZSnf
Please include a ream of copy paper with your school supplies. Supply lists can be found on our school website and may be purchased using Brick by Brick at http://losal.org/Page/3497
Upcoming Events—Please mark your calendars!
8/30 Popsicle-Class Posting Party @ 4:15 pm
Meet the Teacher Night 4:15 pm-5:00 pm—
Teachers will meet and greet students at the front of the school
8/31 TK/Kindergarten Dismissal 11:10 am
1st-5th Dismissal at 1:30 pm
TK/Kindergarten Back to School Night @ 6:00 pm
9/8 Minimum Dismissal @ 12:50 pm
Back To School Night — 1st-2nd @6:00 pm, 3rd-5th @ 7:00 pm
9/12 PTA Meeting in room 21 @ 8:30 am
9/15 PTA Ice Cream Social @ 6:00 pm
I’m confident we will provide our students a strong academic foundation and build skills in communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Thank you for your ongoing support and trust with your children. I’m excited for TEAM LEE to GO for the GOLD, and I look forward to seeing you on the first day of school!
Sincerely,
Amy Laughlin
Principal
Ava forever my love.. 