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Happy Sunday everyone 👋

📅 Key Dates 📅
Oct 12: Indigenous People's Day (NO SCHOOL)
Oct 14: PTA Meeting
Oct 19-23: Digital Citizenship Spirit Week
Oct 22: RNC Lights On Afterschool event
Oct 24: Autumn Carnival 
Oct 30: School Halloween Celebrations

📝 Volunteer Opportunities, Action Items and More! 📝
• Fundraiser updates
• Sign up to volunteer at the Autumn Carnival
• Get ready for Digital Citizenship Spirit Week
• Musical tryouts are coming in November (sign up here!)
• Fill out the Family Interest form if you're interested in helping out with Family STEAM Day

📚 Reading Recommendations for Indigenous Peoples' Day 📚 

🗣️ Principal's Update 🗣️

See you on the yard!
Courtney
Courtney Browne, VP Communications, 2026-2027
PTA Quick Links: PTA Calendar of Events 2026-2027 • PTA Contact List • Join the PTA • Donate Now!

💰 Fundraiser Updates! 💰

🚗 Parking Fundraisers:
We made just under $19,000 at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass parking fundraiser last weekend! Combined with our earnings from the Outside Lands parking fundraiser, we have made over $30,000 this year on parking fundraisers alone! That's a new record! Thanks so much to all of our volunteers this past weekend who made this possible, and thanks especially to organizers Raf Cuevas, Ian Todd and Tory Francisco. 

🍩 Donut Dash Fundraiser Update:

A huge congratulations to Rhys and Bruno Baldwin for raising the most money in this year’s Donut Dash fundraiser! Thanks to their amazing efforts, they raised an incredible $1,080 for our school. As their grand prize, Rhys and Bruno will get to choose the t-shirt color for next year’s Donut Dash—so stay tuned to see what color they pick!
We can’t wait for next year! 🏃‍➡️🏃‍➡️🏃‍➡️

🖐 Volunteer at the Autumn Carnival 10/24 🖐

Come volunteer, bring the family, and enjoy the festivities with us!

Announcements for wristband sales will be coming soon! Be sure to check-in with your teacher/room parent for your classroom fundraising plans at the carnival!

🌐 Digital Citizenship Spirit Week is coming! 🌐

Digital Citizenship Spirit Week is a vital part of helping our students learn how to stay safe, kind and responsible when navigating technology and online spaces. Each day has a specific theme for each lesson and kids are invited to dress up according to that theme.

Many thanks to Ms. Young for her leadership with this initiative! 

🤾‍♂️ RNC's Lights On Dodgeball Event! 🤾‍♂️
Join the Richmond Neighborhood Center on October 22nd for the annual Parents v Students dodgeball game!


🎭 Lafayette Musical audition information 🎭

Sign-up now for this year's musical, The Wizard of Oz! Based on the classic film, there are lots of great singing, dancing, acting, and puppetry roles!

Auditions are directly after school:

• Nov 2 -- 4th & 5th grade
• Nov 4 -- 2nd & 3rd grade
• Nov 6 -- callbacks if needed

TK-K-1 don't need to audition but DO need to sign up.

Rehearsals will be Mondays and Wednesdays after school. Performances will be April 14-16. Participation is FREE for families who volunteer at least 2 hours to help the show, or you can donate $75 to the PTA or $75 worth of snacks. Click this link to find out more and sign up!

Lafayette Musical Committee
lafayettemusical@gmail.com

🧪 Want to help with Family STEAM Day? 🧪

Do you work or have a hobby in any of the following fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Math? Are you interested in bringing your passion to Lafayette Elementary students? If so, please consider being part of our Family STEAM Day! Fill out the Family STEAM Day Community Interest Form.

This year STEAM Day is on Wednesday, January 27th from 1:15pm- 2:45pm.


If we know each other personally you know that books are one of my very favorite things to talk about. While I am far more equipped to share my personal favorite Indigenous authors for grown ups, here are some great children's and early reader books by Indigenous authors to consider checking out in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day!

Hello Dolphin Community! 

I hope you’re enjoying a relaxing and restful long weekend. As we enjoy a day off for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we have an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples and reflect on how we honor and value diversity within our own school community.

Together, we can continue to create a welcoming and inclusive Lafayette by valuing the many cultures, languages, identities, and perspectives our students and families bring. Through the stories we share, the voices we uplift, and the opportunities we create to learn from one another, we help every student and family feel seen, valued, and connected.

I believe that learning in a community that embraces diversity helps students become more well-rounded, open-minded, and insightful members of society. Listening with curiosity, appreciating different perspectives, and treating others with empathy and respect are skills they will carry far beyond Lafayette. Thank you for helping us build a community where everyone belongs.

As we wrap up our weekends, and get ready for the coming week, please check out the updates and reminders below. 

🚗 Student Safety Comes First: Morning Drop-Off

Thank you to the families who have been helping us keep morning arrival safe and orderly. We want to reiterate that these expectations are about student safety first and foremost. With hundreds of students arriving within a short window, following the established drop-off procedures helps create a predictable and safe environment for everyone.

Please remember that all families dropping students off by car should use Stop, Drop, & Go on Anza Street. Students should never need to cross moving traffic, and families should not double park, make U-turns near the 36th Avenue entrance, or use the white bus zone for drop-off.

We also want families to know that SFMTA and SFPD may be present to support safe traffic flow and address unsafe or prohibited traffic practices as needed. Our hope is that, by working together and following these expectations consistently, we can keep everyone safe without the need for enforcement.

🧒TK Drop Off Update from Stop Drop and Go: Now that we are in our third month of school, TK students will begin walking independently from the Stop, Drop, and Go drop-off area to their class line. Credentialed yard teachers and other school staff are in the yard each morning to offer guidance and support.

Please help your child prepare for this transition:

1. Practice the plan. Let your child know that parent volunteers will no longer escort them from the car to their line. Remind them to walk directly to their TK line and ask a yard teacher or school staff member if they need help.

2. Exit on the right. Please have your child exit through the right-side rear door, closest to the curb - make sure your car seat is also moved to the rear passenger right side. This is the safest and most efficient way to unload.

If you prefer to walk your child to their line, please arrive early enough to find a legal parking space and accompany them into the yard. Please do not double-park or block neighbors’ driveways. Thank you for helping our youngest learners build independence and keeping drop-off safe for everyone!

🙋 We also need volunteers to help keep Stop, Drop, & Go running! A few extra minutes and a helping hand can make a big difference. Sign up to volunteer for Stop, Drop, & Go.

🎨 Below is a special message from our wonderful visual arts teacher Ms. Shannon Gerrity!

There are many ways to connect to art!

• Ms. G's Google Classroom

• Ms. G's YouTube Channel

• Ms. G's Slides for Learning and Art Resources

• Ms. G is facilitating a Spooky Family Tour at the SFMOMA! (Free tour with museum admission. RSVP for the tour.)

Spooky Art: Spiders and More!

Related Exhibition
Memory and Matter: Personal and Collective Histories
Sunday, Oct 18, 2026
12:00–12:30 p.m. Floor 6
Additional Art making: 12:30 -
Free with museum admission.
RSVP for the tour. Space is limited.

🐬 School Tours Update! 

A big thank you to everyone who helped make our first school tour of the year such a success, and especially to our three wonderful volunteer tour guides! Your time, enthusiasm, and willingness to share what makes Lafayette special made a wonderful impression on our prospective families.

We’re looking for more volunteers to help welcome future Dolphins at upcoming school tours and the SFUSD Enrollment Fair. No special experience is needed. We’ll provide the tour route and key information. You simply bring your Lafayette spirit and share your experience with prospective families!

Volunteer Tour Guides will:

• Lead families along a predetermined tour route.

• Visit designated classrooms and campus landmarks.

• Share your Lafayette experience and answer basic questions.

We’re also looking for volunteers to represent Lafayette at the upcoming SFUSD Enrollment Fair, where you can connect with prospective families, share your experience, and help answer questions about our school.

Thank you for helping us give future Dolphins a warm Lafayette welcome! 🐬

Morning Tours - Volunteer Here

Afternoon Tours - Volunteer Here

Enrollment Fair - Volunteer Here

Bright Spots

💦 Splash Awards!

Let’s celebrate this week’s 3rd–5th Grade Splash Award winners! These students were recognized for the many ways they make our Lafayette community stronger, from showing kindness and integrity to being helpful, inclusive, and positive role models.

We’re so proud of these students for demonstrating their Lafayette spirit and helping make our school such a wonderful place to learn and grow! 🐬

Field Trips!

A bright spot this week is the effort and thoughtfulness our staff are putting into planning meaningful field trips! From connecting students with 826 Valencia to draft stories and create podcasts, to exploring the California Academy of Sciences through specialized programs for each grade level, and many more, teachers are making the most of the amazing learning opportunities throughout our city. These experiences extend classroom learning, spark curiosity, and give students something new to discover with each visit. Thank you for the planning and care that make these
opportunities possible!

Repeated Reminders

📣 SFUSD Enrollment Survey – Share Your Voice!

SFUSD is gathering community input on how students should be assigned to elementary schools beginning in August 2028. No plan has been selected yet, and family feedback will help inform the district’s decision.

The survey is open to all San Francisco families—including those with children in SFUSD, private or charter schools, and families with children who are not yet school-aged.

Please take a few minutes to share your perspective and help shape the future of elementary school enrollment in SFUSD!

Take the survey: English | Spanish | Chinese | Filipino | Vietnamese | Arabic | Samoan

📱 Cell Phones & Smartwatches: OFF & AWAY

A quick reminder that cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal devices should be OFF and AWAY during the school day, including before/after school activities and events. If a device must come to school, please help your student follow these expectations, including keeping smartwatches turned off, put away, or in School Mode. If you need to reach your student during the school day, please contact the office at 415-750-8483. Thank you for helping us keep students focused on learning, friendships, play, and being present in our school community!

📱 A Reminder About Class Group Chats

A quick reminder that class group chats, including WhatsApp groups, are intended to help families connect and coordinate classwide events and activities.

Please help keep these spaces welcoming, inclusive, and focused on community-building. Political or social advocacy and school-related concerns are better addressed through appropriate private channels rather than classwide chats.

For school concerns, please reach out directly to school administration; for PTA matters, please contact the PTA. Thank you for helping keep our class chats positive, useful, and welcoming for everyone!

🚌 Field Trip Chaperones

Please review the updated chaperone requirements and instructions below, including guidance for navigating the ASCIP platform and completing the required Mandated Reporter training. Thanks for your patience in navigating this new requirement. For support, contact ehelp@ascip.org.

📝 Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF)

We are working toward 100% completion and need every family’s help (We’re only at 53.5% 😢)! Please complete your MFIF if you haven’t already. More information and instructions are included below.

What is the MFIF, and why is it important?

The Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF) is a quick annual form that helps Lafayette and community partners access important funding and benefits for students.

Completing the MFIF helps:

• Determine school funding for academic programs and services.

• Prioritize eligible students for afterschool programs.

• Connect eligible families with benefits like $120 SunBucks (Summer EBT), internet access, and more. See the Family Benefits Guide for details.

Every form counts! Please help us reach 100% completion!

Before & After School

• In the morning, use Stop, Drop, and Go on Anza Street for a safe and efficient morning drop-off. Please do not park or drop-off in the white bus zone, double park, or allow students to exit on the opposite side of the street. This is for the safety of your students!

• Sign Up for Stop, Drop, & Go!

• Bikes and scooters should be walked on the school yard. This is for the safety of our students. 

• Enrichment Pick-Up Reminder:

• Please meet your student on time at the northeast gate on 36th Avenue, near the bike racks.

• The play structure is reserved for YMCA and RNC programs after school. For the safety and security of students in aftercare, families not enrolled in these programs should use alternate play areas after dismissal. Cabrillo Playground, just down the street, is a great option. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Attendance Reminder

• Reporting Full-Day Absences: Whenever possible, please report absences through your ParentVUE account. Instructions: English | Español | 中文

• Partial-Day Absences or Changes: Please contact our clerk, Yuki, directly at 415-750-8483 or sch664@sfusd.edu.

Thank you for continuing to make Lafayette such a welcoming, connected, and joyful community. Looking forward to seeing everyone this week! 💙🐬