Dear Lafayette Community,

We begin with some words from our PTA president, Erin:

As we have all learned, there was another fire in the yard last night, and our play structure, a space of joy for all our children, was destroyed. It is truly heartbreaking, and understandably unnerving.  
I spent the morning at the school, and I want to assure you that all resources are being deployed to ensure our kids are safe and our school is secure. The fire and police departments are investigating, and the teachers and staff are prioritizing our kids' well being by speaking with them about the event and all the feelings around it. The yard is completely closed to children, and the district is installing chain link fences around the area right now.

I have to admit that when I first saw the burned structure, I broke down in tears. I imagine the emotions are just as strong for our kids. While the fence will keep the area secure, it will not obscure the destruction. We can help. 

We are organizing a fence weaving community gathering for tomorrow, Tuesday, beginning at 8 am. We invite and encourage ALL adults who are able to show up tomorrow morning at 8 am with any and all found supplies. Together, we will create an artwork that will demonstrate to our kids that we are always here to lift up and care for our community. 

Items to bring:

1. Scrap Fabric: Old table cloths, flat bed sheets and pillow cases are great. The bigger the better!
2. Scissors
3. Glue guns
4. Yourself 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 20, 8 am - noon

WHERE: Lafayette Elementary School 

WHO: Parents and community members.

This is also a time to reach out to people to know who are artists or who may have access to fabric. Together we can show our kids that when we work in community, something beautiful can truly grow from the ashes. 

Erin 

In this week's Dolphin Digest:

🤓 Missed Last Week's PTA Meeting? Catch Up Here
☀️ Families, Don't Miss Field Day - May 29th
📔 Time to Buy Your Yearbook and Submit Photos
📷 Lately at Lafayette (photos): SDG & Teacher Appreciation Week
📅 Calendar at a Glance
👋 Community (Non-PTA) Corner: Free Movies @ 4 Star // Summer Learning @ Power Scholars Academy // Free SF Public School ♥️ Posters

In case you missed last week's PTA meeting, here is the slideshow of what we discussed.

Highlights:

• $183k+ raised in Auction/Gala!
• Parking fundraisers coming up for Outside Lands plus another concert in Golden Gate Park! We will need volunteers for August 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10
• Help wanted: Field Day volunteers, Yearbook photos, New family summer playdates at Cabrillo Playground
• From Mr. K: We found another school to share an Assistant Principal with Lafayette next year. It's Sherman Elementary. Candidate interviews are happening soon.
• From Mr. K: Currently hiring for teacher positions including a transitional kindergarten, deaf and hard of hearing special day class pre-K, and 2nd grade. Hope to begin hiring for para educators soon
• Lafayette PTA turned 100 and received a Legacy Award from the 2nd District PTA. We are the OLDEST PTA IN SF!

Field Day on May 29th is open to all students, families, and members of the Lafayette community, and we invite you to join us for a day filled with GAMES, ACTIVITIES, FOOD, LAUGHS (and probably some TEARS), and TREATS!!

Here are the details you need to know:

Date: Thursday, May 29th, 2025

Time: 9:00AM- 1:00PM

Classes will walk down together! 

Location: Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park

What to Expect:

• Family Style Potluck : Bring your favorite dish to share with your class and grade. We will have a table for each class, but classes are encouraged to share with their WHOLE grade. Please check in with your room parents on the food-sign up sheet.
• Games Galore: Participate in a range of fun games suitable for all ages. Sack races, (plastic) egg races, tug-of- war, bubbles, Etc.
• Sweet Treats: Indulge in cotton candy, sno cones, and popcorn!
• Creative Fun: We'll have temporary tattoos, hair coloring, face painting and a tie-dye station! Bring a white piece of clothing (t-shirt, socks, handkerchief, etc) if you want to join for tie-dye fun. 
• Community Spirit: Connect with fellow families and community in the greatest park in the world!

The success of this event depends on your willingness to volunteer! Please use this sign-up sheet to volunteer!!

THINGS THAT ARE HELPFUL FOR PARENTS TO BRING TO FIELD DAY -- Sunscreen, Easy-to-carry Folding Chairs, Blankets

This is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together, celebrate the end of the school year, and create lasting memories. We encourage everyone to participate and make this day a memorable one for all. This is a free event for our school.

If any questions please reach out to the Field Day Committee: 

Will Chinn (wmchinn33@gmail.com)

Mandy Brown (mandysunbrown@gmail.com) 
Nina Wu (ninawu85@gmail.com)

Go Dolphins!!!!!

SEEKING YOUR PHOTOS

We're still savoring this year, but come June, we'll be looking back at the memories. Do you have great photos to share? Think field trips, special events, schoolyard shenanigans... We want it all for the yearbook.

Submit photos for the yearbook here!

HOW TO ORDER

If you have ordered in previous years, use the same login information at treering.com. If you are new to Treering, please use the purchasing link below.

Each book comes with 2 FREE custom pages that print in YOUR BOOK ONLY! Use the simple tools on Treering to add your own photos, graphics, and text to create a memory book within your school yearbook. Additional spreads are only $1.99! 

Order your Lafayette 2024-2025 Yearbook HERE!

Passcode (if asked): 1015718683474794

Please reach out to rcuevas86@gmail.com with any questions!

Thanks to all of our enthusiastic Stop, Drop and Go volunteers from this week!

A few pictures from Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you to our Teacher Appreciation Committee leaders, Crisel, Christina, and Natalie. The breakfasts and lunches they organized showed our teachers the love! Thank you to all who contributed.

MAY 26

- NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

MAY 29

- Field Day

JUNE 4

- Last Day of School/5th Grade Promotion

Community announcements are shared as a service to our members and are not from the PTA. Do you have events, resources, or other info to share with the community? Email lafayetteschoolpta@gmail.com to request a spot in the Dolphin Digest.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Baker Street Foundation, Cinema SF will be playing free family-friendly movies every weekend morning at the 4 Star Theater (2200 Clement St) for the rest of 2025!

The films selected will cover a wide range from family classics to newer hits straight from theaters, so make sure to check our webpage to stay up to date with everything coming up on our calendar.

Reservations will be first-come-first-serve when the box office opens 30 minutes before the screening on the day of the show. Come early for our free specially curated cartoon pre-shows. Any showtimes of the film later in the day will be regularly priced.

UPCOMING SHOWS

Power Scholars Academy is a free, 6-week summer program designed to prevent learning loss during summer break. Students receive focused instruction in math and reading, while also benefiting from enrichment activities, field trips, and social-emotional learning experiences.

Our goal is to close the achievement gap by combating summer learning decline. We are filling up, but have space in our TK/K class.

📅 Program Details
Dates: June 10 – July 23, 2025
(Closed on June 19 and July 4)
8am-5:30pm
Location: Lafayette Elementary School
4545 Anza St, San Francisco, CA 94121
Cost: Free of charge for eligible students
If you are interested, please email Celia Scully at scullyc@sfusd.edu or Alicia Brennan at ABrennan@ymcasf.org

Beginning tomorrow, look out for Lafayette parent Katherine Boone, who will be around school in the mornings handing out free posters for families who want to show the world their love for SF public schools! Available while supplies last.

Thanks for reading this week.

Go Dolphins! 🐬

Patricia Wada

VP, Communications 2023–25

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Lafayette Elementary PTA

501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization

Tax ID# 94-6172049