option 5 (1)
August 14, 2021
Dear Lafayette Families,

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! We are thrilled to all be back together, greeting old friends and new in just a few short weeks. A huge THANK YOU to the entire Lafayette community, from our teachers, staff, and administrators to our families who took on so much and went above and beyond to support our children since the beginning of COVID-19. While we are keeping abreast of current news and the potential impact of new virus variants, we are hopeful for a different year ahead.

The Lafayette Home and School Association (HSA) is Lafayette’s version of a traditional PTA. We are a 60-strong group of volunteer parents, Lafayette staff, and members of our neighborhood representing and working on behalf of the school community. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit group. You can learn more at our website under “Family Engagement.”

The HSA Board has been hard at work this summer gathering ideas and input to inform our programming for the coming year. We are excited to bring the school community back together again safely and in accordance with DCPS and DC guidelines. Our hope is that through traditions such as the Fall Festival and Spring Auction, and new events too, we’ll have the opportunity to reengage with old friends, forge new connections, and make all feel welcome and valued as members of our Lafayette family. Our key priorities as an HSA this year include: Building Community, Fostering Inclusion, Broadening the HSA, and Fundraising. Please join us for our HSA General Meetings to learn more. We also want to hear from you in a survey regarding family engagement and diversity and inclusion. We encourage your involvement and feedback to further these goals and refine our priorities.

Please mark your calendars for the following events:
August 28th - HSA Popsicle Socials for all families! 10:30AM All PreK families; 3:00PM All Kindergarten families; 5:00PM New families, 1st-5th grades
September 23rd – HSA General Meeting
September 25th - Welcome Back Outdoor Movie Night with a movie celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month!
October 23rd – Lafayette Annual Fall Festival

In a typical year, the HSA raises approximately $300,000 and much of this goes to support the school budget, funding a wide range of essentials from toilet paper to supplementing classroom supplies to teacher professional development to Lafayette’s amazing Peace curriculum, as well as grade-specific projects and extracurricular programs. The HSA raises funds through the Bear Fund (our annual giving drive) and fundraising events such as the Auction and Fall Festival. In addition, the HSA donates 10% of funds raised through Bear Fund giving to the DC Public Education Fund as part of our annual equity pledge. The HSA budget also goes to support other important aspects of our organization, such as teacher appreciation and community building events.

Bear Fund
Thank you to everyone who has given to the Bear Fund in years past. We rely on the generosity of Lafayette families, and we hope you will consider a gift this year as we work to recover from last year’s absence of fundraising events. We are aiming for 100% participation this year, for giving at any level. Please click here to learn more about the Bear Fund and make a donation!

Volunteer!
Please join us in volunteering to support our school! Our school thrives because of the hard work and support Lafayette families put forth to help enhance our children’s school experience. We are working hard to broaden the tent of the HSA this year and we would love your involvement. There are jobs from small to large. Click here to let us know how you can help. In particular, we are currently looking for:
  • Bear Fund Team Members
  • IT Support
  • Fall Festival and Auction volunteers
  • Hospitality and Teacher Appreciation volunteers
  • Room Parents for all grade levels (more information here)
Community
Last year was challenging in so many ways. We were not able to get to know the other families in our children’s classes in the ways we were used to and many of us missed the broader sense of community that makes Lafayette so special. So please, take the time to say 'hi' to people this fall. Introduce yourself. Admit you’ve forgotten former acquaintances’ names. Welcome those who are new. Help us build back the community we all know and love. You’ll soon be hearing from your child’s room parents and will hear from them regarding opportunities to connect, including Class Family Play Dates and Parent Potlucks.

Thank you for all that you do. We are excited for the year ahead and cannot wait to see you at school!

Warmly,
Your HSA Co-Presidents

Ann Sun (mother of James Angehr-Sun PreK, Beatric Angehr-Sun 2nd, and Lake Angehr-Sun 5th)
Rachel Zuraw (mother of Miles Zuraw 2nd and Juliana Zuraw 5th)

We want to hear from you! Respond to the HSA’s survey on family engagement and diversity and inclusion. Click here!
Email us at copresidents@lafayettehsa.org
Visit our school website at www.lafayettehsa.org
Make sure to complete your information for the school directory.
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