Order Your Valentines Day Candy Grams, beginning February 6
Candy heart lollipops for $1 or Stuffed animals for $5 on sale during both lunch periods for students to purchase for friends or teachers. Valentines Grams will be delivered Feb 13 during 6th period. Proceeds benefit the McAuliffe music program. 
Valentine_Candy_Gram.pdf

Evening Meeting! February 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
Mark your calendars for our Spring evening meeting. To better serve working parents, PTA holds evenings meetings once a semester. Please join us for refreshments, as well as updates from Principal Allen on McAuliffe programs and a presentation by our guest speaker.  

Los Al police officer Dan Brandt will be talking about his experiences as a former LAUSD student, his role in keeping our kids and our community safe, and his King of Hearts campaign for LAEF.

Also, bring a Ralphs receipt showing that have designated your Ralphs Rewards to McAuliffe (or any school in the district) to be entered in a drawing!

It's not too late!  Sign up for Ralphs Rewards and designate McAuliffe.  Last month, McAuliffe received $400 from the rewards program.  These proceeds are used to support programs and activities for our students.  Thank you!

Nominations due February 16
Please help us recognize some deserving parents, teachers, and business owners who have gone above and beyond to support our school and our students. Categories include Very Special Person, Outstanding Service by an Individual or Organization, Outstanding Teacher, Ongoing Service for an Individual or Organization that continues to support our students year after year. Click below for category descriptions and the nomination form. Email your nomination to HSA Chair Rachael DeMarco at RLDeMarco@aol.com

Legacy League with Los Al High School Coach Fenton, Starts February 17

LAEF has a fantastic opportunity for students who enjoy playing football.  This is a rare chance to work directly with the LAHS Varsity Football Coaches and Players, as well as to learn high school offensive and defensive plays.

This is a one hand touch and non-contact league, open to students in grades 3 to 8.  Practices will be on Saturday mornings at LAHS from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Games will follow at 9:00 a.m., from February 17 – April 21. The cost is $236 (no sponsorships or extra fees). Included in the price will be a team uniform and a soft helmet.

 

 Los_Alamitos_Legacy_League_1.pdf

Box Tops, Due February 27
Thank you to all of the parents and students who have collected box tops to help raise funds for McAuliffe events and programs. Please drop your box tops at the Main Office by February 27.  As always, there is a prize!  The student (one winner per grade level) who turns in the most will receive a $10 gift certificate to Inn n Out.  

Spring Fundraiser, Starts March 1st
Order forms will be sent home and also posted on the website.  Please turn your orders in to the Main Office by March 9.  The student with the most sales will win a $50 gift certificate.  

Calculating Fun, March 14
Together with the Math Department, PTA is organizing math contests and trivia games in celebration of national PI day. Students can show off their math skills and win prizes during both lunch periods.

Promotion Party -  Only $20 per Student to Attend!

It's tradition. Each year, the PTA organizes an epic party for our graduating 8th graders, featuring food, music, games, candy, photo booths, and more. This year's party will take place on June 11 from 9:30 to noon at the Cal State Long Beach Event Center.  In addition to the cost of the buses, facility rental fee, DJ, and other expenses already budgeted by the PTA, we are asking for $20 per student to attend. 

Thank you to all of the students who turned in their $20 contribution at the beginning of the year.  If you haven't already paid (or to check to see if you did), contact PTA President Barb Ringhofer at 562.547.2651.

Did you know that school will begin August 8 next year?

At the last PTA meeting, Meg Cutuli, one of the LAUSD board members, discussed a variety of topics regarding McAuliffe and our school district. Several parents had questions regarding the change in our school calendar beginning in August, 2018. After looking at the results of both parent and teacher surveys, the decision to change the calendar was guided by the factors below.

1)        Maximizing instructional opportunities for students enrolled in AP classes at Los Alamitos High School;

2)        Giving students  more time to study for AP tests- tests are always scheduled by the College Board in Mid-May;

3)        Over 60% of our high school students take one or more AP classes;

4)        AP summer assignments used to be given prior to the beginning of classes; however, this practice has been ruled as illegal in a suit against another school district;

5)        Students attending military academies had had to miss graduation because of their post-high school commitments;

6)        Students looking for summer jobs are at a disadvantage when competing with students whose district calendar ends in May;

7)        The Fall Semester ending at Winter Break allows for a fresh start at the  second semester for middle and high school students when they return in January. 

The best way to stay informed about what's happening at McAuliffe is to attend the monthly PTA meetings, but we understand that many parents are unable to attend due to work or other commitments. This e-newsletter is our way of helping you stay connected. If you have a question for Principal Allen or a suggestion for the next issue, email our newsletter editor Alison Cotter at essaycoach@alisoncotter.com

Not getting the e-newsletter? It is sent to all McAuliffe parents but some don't see it because it goes to SPAM or is blocked. To avoid this problem, recipients should add our newsletter editor's email (essaycoach@alisoncotter.com) to their address books or "trusted senders list." You can also help by forwarding this issue to your McAuliffe pals to see if they are receiving it. Many thanks for helping us keep our parents informed!