tahoe valley elementary

Rumors were flying around schools and on social media in South Lake Tahoe this week about a Whooping Cough (pertussis) outbreak at Tahoe Valley Elementary. A 4th grade student became sick with symptoms that resemble pertussis, but that cannot be confirmed for two weeks.

For her tenth birthday, Arial Carreau-Schultz anticipated presents just as any young lady would, except she wasn't getting them for herself.

During her birthday party on September 30, the young South Lake Tahoe resident and Tahoe Valley Elementary student asked for gifts to take to the animals at the El Dorado County Animal Shelter. All 25 children that attended fulfilled her wishes, leaving behind a huge bounty that she'll take to the shelter this weekend.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The students at Tahoe Valley Elementary School are enjoying the fruits of many volunteers' labors as the new greenhouse, Tranquil Garden, climbing stumps and outdoor learning areas have been completed and officially dedicated.

Principal Christina Grubbs gathered staff, parents and community members prior to last week's Back to School Night to thank all who took part in the projects, and to show off what the kids now get to enjoy.

"This is a labor of love for all to enjoy," said Grubbs.

Monday is the first day of school, and most parents will get several forms to fill out for each of their students, but there is one form that many may skip over if they think their children won't utilize it.

Not only does the National School Lunch Program Form give qualifying students free or reduced cost lunches and breakfasts, but it can also mean a few million dollars for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) annually.

My name is Tamara Wallace and I am a candidate for South Lake Tahoe City Council. To begin with, I have vowed to not accept the pay that comes from holding office.

In a letter to City Clerk Susie Alessi, it was officially stated that if elected I would not accept the recently doubled Council salary of almost $1,000 per month. Being a fiscal conservative, I feel being careful with taxpayer dollars should start with me.

Tamara Wallace’s campaign slogan is “it’s Time.”

I believes that the voters feel as I do.

Here is what I am not:

Ryann and Morgan Canfield were recognized during Tuesday's Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board meeting for their commitment to achieving perfect attendance as students.

Ryann, and eighth grader at South Tahoe Middle School, has missed just one day of school in her life, and that was one day in kindergarten so she has eight consecutive years of perfect attendance. Her sister, Morgan, a fifth grader at Tahoe Valley Elementary has had perfect attendance throughout her six-year (to-date) school career, including a year of transitional kindergarten.

Simba, Mufasa, Scar, Nala and Rafiki and their friends have shown up in South Lake Tahoe along with dozens of other characters from the Lion King.

Tahoe Valley Elementary School's elaborate musical stage production of Disney's Lion King Kids opens Wednesday night for a two-night run, but they have already treated classmates and visiting students to early performances.

Members of Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) handed out checks to 22 different project that are created by non-profits to serve the women and children of South Lake Tahoe on Thursday.

The awardees:

Closed due to declining enrollment since June of 2004, Al Tahoe Elementary School could reopen if a $9 billion bond measure passes in California this November. There is now an increase in enrollment in grades K-5 in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, with an average grade size of 300, compared to an average of 274 students in grades 6-12. Its because of a growing lower grade population and a movement towards children starting school at the age of 3 that Al Tahoe would be used to house the younger students.

The Christmas spirit has been evident all through the South Shore over the past few weeks as many people and non-profit agencies have been blessed with donations of money, food and gifts to help make the holidays a bit brighter.

Here are some of the many Santas who've been busy at work:

The South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge and Women of the Moose filled up 40 boxes with hams and food for families at Tahoe Valley Elementary school. The students decorated the boxes.

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With school starting on August 31, its now time for children entering South Lake Tahoe schools for the first time to register,

Kindergartners need to be registered at their designated elementary school, as determined by location. Boundaries are available for viewing at www.ltusd.org or a map can be picked up at the Education Center at 1021 Al Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.

The Lake Tahoe Unified School District will be holding a public hearing Tuesday on how to spend an estimated $2,159,294 in LCAP funding. They want parents to participate in the decision making and have invited everyone to the June 9 School Board meeting to encourage participation.

A self-described "forever learner," Beth Delacour won't be saying goodbye to schools once she retires as the South Tahoe Middle School Principal next month. "I like to learn," she said.

After 32 years working in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, Delacour is looking forward to having breakfast with her girlfriends, cooking dinner for her husband ("He's been so supportive"), and enjoying her grandchildren (the fourth one is just one week old). But don't look for her to be just relaxing for long.

Sign-ups for both kindergarten and transitional kindergarten in Lake Tahoe Unified Schools will be held May 4 - May 8.

To be eligible for enrollment a child must be five years of age on or before September 1, 2015. If your child will turn five years of age between September 2 and December 2, 2015, they qualify for transitional kindergarten which is a two year Kindergarten program located at Tahoe Valley Elementary School.

To register, California Law requires that:

1. You bring child's birth certificate;

With over 200 students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District not immunized against the measles, district officials are monitoring the situation and may even exclude those children from attending classes.

Even though there are no cases in El Dorado County as of yet, the cases in Washoe County and Bay Area are of concern.

Even though the calendar still says winter, it's time to sign up for little league. Registration for the 2015 South Tahoe National Little League season will be held on three upcoming dates.

In-person registration will be held at Kahle Community Center on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Tahoe Ice Arena on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at Tahoe Valley Elementary School on Monday, Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

2015/16 LTUSD Kindergarten Enrollment - The Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESMS) in Meyers is now taking names for the Fall ‘15 “line-up” of kindergartners. If you have a child who will be turning 5 on or before September 1st, 2015, please come to the Magnet School office (1095 East San Bernardino Ave.) to fill out a lottery application. The lottery will be held on April 1, 2015.

Enrollment at the Magnet School is NOT on a first-come, first-served basis, so you may submit the application any time before the end of March.

For the past four years, members of the South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge have been providing meals for the less fortunate members of the community. What began as a small project with members filling up 15 boxes of food has grown into a much larger project with 40 families receiving the meals this weekend.

Administrative staff at Tahoe Valley Elementary school selected the 40 recipients and students from the school decorated the food boxes with colorful, seasonal messages.

Dr. James Tarwater has informed parents that schools in South Lake Tahoe are closing immediately due to a power black out for the area. He reported that the black out will last until 4:30 p.m.

All parents are requested to pick up their students and buses will start transporting children if they are normally transported by bus. Each school has a different Bus departure time starting with STMS at 12:45 p.m., STHS at 1:30 p.m., Bijou at 1:35 p.m., Sierra House and Tahoe Valley Elementary schools at 2:10 p.m., and the Magnet School at 2:25 p.m.

Almost 2,000 elementary students from South Lake Tahoe completed the WeCan! fitness and nutritional program on Friday, October 10.

Students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade at Bijou, Lake Tahoe Environmental Magnet, Sierra House and Tahoe Valley Elementary Schools participated in the four week program.

The students participated in weekly challenges that focused on fitness and nutrition goals. Challenges included eating fruits and vegetables of a particular color, drinking more water, stretching, exercising and trying new healthy foods.

The LTUSD Board gets out of the board room and into the schools Tuesday as they have their Annual Student Lunch meeting. They will have lunch with about 20 selected students at South Tahoe High in the new Student Union. The students are a cross section of seniors who will be sharing their thoughts with the board.

Registration for South Lake Tahoe kindergarten and transitional kindergarten will be held May 5th through May 9th.

Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2014. Children who turn 5 between September 2 and December 2, 2014 are eligible for transitional kindergarten.

California Law requires that:
1. You bring child's birth certificate;
2. You bring proof of immunizations, which includes the Varicella (Chicken Pox), Hepatitis B and for
most children - the last booster shot. Children will not be enrolled in school without presenting an

The goal is simple, "Helping the youth of South Lake Tahoe to be well read and well fed."

Hunger isn't just an inner city problem. Hunger isn't just a third world problem. Hunger affects approximately 16 million children in the United States with 3 million rural community households being "food insecure."

How can children focus on solving a math problem or writing an English paper when he or she is trying to ignore the persistent pangs of hunger? School work is forced to compete with hunger.

The Community Advisory Committee will provide parents with resources needed to handle every day questions issues concerning their children.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District psychologists will be on hand to answer these questions, and more:

· Is your child struggling with her homework?
· Do you feel like your kids never listen?
· Are sibling battles out of control?
· Are you worried about your child’s behavior?
· Would you like to meet other parents who share your concerns?