I think my favorite blog entries are the ones that celebrate our students’ success stories…  today’s story is particularly inspiring as I feel it embodies everything that LILA is.

LIL(A) Me(ntors)  a.k.a. Project LIL’ Me is a volunteer program for and by Lycée International de Los Angeles students, designed by LILA 11^th grader, Madeleine Planeix-Crocker

Last month, 11^th grade French Baccalauréat student Madeleine Planeix-Crocker met with Los Feliz director Philippe Vanhille and myself to pitch a wonderful project: she wanted to start a mentorship program at LILA in which High School students would pair up with Middle School students to help them succeed.

The project seemed ambitious and inspired.  Presenting her project, Madeleine explained that her goals were to:

• develop school spirit and stress LILA’s identity as a K-12 school
• support teachers in their work
• allow younger children to have an on-campus ‘big brother/big sister’
• develop confidence and responsibility in high school students
• build excitement around learning!

Basically, Madeleine planned to get 9^th through 12^th grade students to sign up on a volunteer basis to act as a big brother/big sister to a LILA 6^th through 8^th grade student.  They would interact with their little brother/little sister during recess and lunch times.  The commitment was to be one year long.

With a few kind words of encouragement given at the initial meeting, Madeleine was off to talk, coach and inspire her fellow ‘highschoolers’.

By early November, Madeleine had her band of dedicated and amazing student volunteers together… she wrote to them all to confirm their induction into this pioneer endeavor… they all received her email with the Lil’ Me mission statement and guidelines:

“Congratulations, you are officially LILA Big Sisters and Big Brothers! 

This is an exciting commitment that you are taking on.  It means being prompt, caring, wise, and kind with your "sibling".  You should plan to have lunch once a week with your little sister/brother to talk.  It is your duty to help, listen, and give advice to your "sibling" concerning organization, schoolwork, study habits, and also class conduct (with teachers and classmates).  You are there to provide emotional and moral support: you have all gone through those middle school years, so you are able to bring judicious advice to the table.  This program was designed with no after school obligations.”  

On November 23^rd, 2009, seventeen “middle schoolers” were paired up with high school Big Sisters and Brothers.  The picture below commemorates their first week in the program.

Bravo Madeleine, you have done a very important thing… you have made our school a better place in a very big way… may your program grow and prosper… for we will all gain in the process!

If you are looking for an alternative to paying for your child(ren)’s fees without having to come to the Main Office with a checkbook, our new online fee payment service is for you!

All parents are now able to pay school fees, eliminate lost checks, and make purchases 24 hours a day through our new Online Parent Center in 4 easy steps:

1)  Log in to the Parent Center at:  www.CashlessSchools.com

2)  Register by selecting the “Sign Up Now” button and follow the instructions.

3)  Review the fees that have been posted to your child(ren)’s account and add items to your

shopping cart.  You are able to do this whether you have one child at Los Feliz or two or more children on multiple campuses.

4)  When you check-out, the system will provide a total amount and you will be able to pay

electronically with money from your bank account (as an eCheck).  Credit card payments are not available via Cashless Campus at this time.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your campus directly for more information!

Le Jazz Hot! If these three words conjure up images of musicians grooving in a smoky 1920s Parisian nightclub, with dancing flappers, and maybe a banana skirt here and there, you’ve got the right idea.

On Saturday, May 22^nd, the Los Feliz, Pasadena, and West Valley campuses will host the 2^nd annual LILA tri-campus Gala, Le Jazz Hot! at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club, and we look forward to seeing you there!

2009 marked the launch of our first ever multi-campus collaborative fundraiser, and while admittedly this new structure may not have been the most lucrative, it turned out to be the most cost-effective. With one year’s experience under our belts, we are now set to improve our results. 

Proceeds from this year’s Gala will be based on a set model: revenue from auction items will be split evenly between the donating campus and the bidding campus. Guests will have the option of pre-selecting the campuses toward which they wish all their donations to go. For guests whose loyalties lie with more than one campus, the option will be available to list multiple campuses. Therefore, an auction item’s proceeds will be split with 50% going to the donor’s choice of campus, and 50% going to the winning bidder’s favorite campus. After the costs of putting on the event are covered, ticket sales revenue will be shared equally between the three campuses: Los Feliz, Pasadena, and West Valley.

Le Jazz Hot! will feature an open cocktail bar, auctions, a sit-down dinner, live entertainment, and dancing. In order to ensure the success of the event, we are seeking volunteers from all three campuses. Your contribution of your time and talents, however big or small, will be greatly appreciated: you can make a difference and help toward improving your campus!

Next year we plan on hosting the Gala more toward the Valley-side of Los Angeles.  For those of you who have attended events at great venues in that area, we would love your suggestions so we can visit now while choice dates are still available.

To send us your tips, volunteer, and/or find out more information about this year’s Gala, please contact: jazz@lilaschool.com.