7:50 AM - First Bell. The students line up behind their classroom number on the playground. Kindergarten teachers greet their students and talk with families.

7:55 AM - Second Bell. 1st-5th grade teachers greet their classes and bring them into the school.

2:25 PM - Dismissal. Students are dismissed onto the playground. Kindergarten students are dismissed 5 minutes early at 2:20 PM.

Wednesday - 1:10 PM EARLY RELEASE: All schools have a 75-minute early release on Wednesdays at 1:10 PM, except the first and last day of school. The last day of school will have a 60-minute early release.

Find SPS School Calendar information here.

Drop Off & Pick Up

• Morning drop-off & afternoon pick-up are on the playground. Kindergarten classes dismiss 5 minutes before the bell.

• Students line up behind their classroom number in the morning.

• If your student is late for class, bring your child through the front of the school and ring the intercom bell. They will check in at the front office to get a pass before heading to their classroom.

• Your teacher will have a list of which students are being picked up, riding the bus, or going to after care. They will make sure each child is released to the correct location.

• Stay behind the white lines during pick-up to leave space for students exiting the building.

• If you have a different person picking up your child that is not on your authorized pickup list, email your teacher and attendance ahead of time.

• Discuss with your teacher if your students will be allowed to walk home without parent supervision. More info here.

Bus Transportation

• Buses drop off and pick up on 45th near the back gate of the playground.

• SPS Transportation information can be found here.

• Bus families will receive info directly from the district; delays trigger a text/call.

• Yellow Card Requests: Yellow cards are required when a student will take a different bus home or needs to get off at a different stop. Requests must be submitted no later than 11 a.m. on the day of needed request and are valid for 10 school days.

If your student is ill or will be late/absent/leave early, call 206-252-9500, or email attendance as well as your student’s teacher. Include your child’s name and teacher information.

lafayette.attendance@seattleschools.org

We all know mornings can sometimes be hard! For safety, all adults must check in at the front office. Even for late drop-off, students should go in on their own to the front office to get a late pass. If you’d like to help in the classroom or join a field trip, be sure to complete the district’s volunteer registration first.

• Kids eat with partner grades:

  • K–1: 11:05–11:30

  • 2–3: 11:35–12:00

  • 4–5: 12:05–12:30

• Lunch lasts ~20 minutes—have students practice eating quickly at home and opening lunch boxes and containers themselves.

• No food sharing is allowed; alert nurse/teacher of allergies.

• Lunch can be packed or purchased.

• To purchase, preload your student’s account through My School Bucks.

  • Lunch cards are kept by teachers.

  • Tip: load larger amounts to avoid per-transaction fees—balances carry over year to year.

• SPS lunch menus are available online, though not always 100% accurate.

• Click here for more district information about school-bought lunch.

In addition to your student’s homeroom classroom, they will also attend “specials” such as Gym, Art, Music, Garden, Library, and Counselor (schedule varies by classroom).

Recess happens rain or shine, so dress accordingly! Pack extra clothes for lockers.

Lafayette has over 500 students; typically, four classes per grade K–3, three classes per grade 4–5. Please label jackets, lunchboxes, and water bottles!

Postcards are typically mailed out by Lafayette admin a few days before the “Meet the Teacher” event during the last week of August. Teacher assignments will also be available on The Source before the first day of school, and many teachers email their classes before the first day.

The teachers update their list each year, be sure to send everything in during the first few days of school (it doesn’t have to all be on day 1, it’s a lot!). The PTA does not provide school supplies for students.

School Supply Lists by Grade

The PTA-funded tutoring program at Lafayette provides valuable academic support for students in grades K–5. Teachers identify children who would benefit most, including those performing both below and above grade level, ensuring that instruction is personalized and responsive to individual needs. This program is designed to give every child the chance to strengthen their learning and grow with confidence.

Tutoring sessions primarily focus on building strong reading skills, while also offering group support in writing and math as needed. Each group lasts about 30 minutes, allowing tutors to give students focused, one-on-one or small group attention. By covering multiple subjects, the program not only reinforces classroom learning but also helps students develop a solid foundation across core areas.

Every 7–8 weeks, the program reviews student progress and reorganizes tutoring groups to target specific skill gaps. This ensures that instruction remains flexible and data-driven, always focused on what students need most. Thanks to PTA funding and teacher guidance, this tutoring program is a powerful resource that helps children achieve success and fosters a love for learning.

Currently, Lafayette offers Resource, Extended Resource, and Focus services, as well as Developmental Preschool.

We recommend setting up a meeting between yourself, your teacher, the resources dept, and the administration (email whoever you know will be on the team to start and the school can add additional people). They can help walk through the situation. These meetings generally are after school.

Additional questions can be directed to our PTA Special Education Liaison at: sped@lafayettepta.com

More info about Special Education placement and service types can be found here and a general overview of the SPS Special Education program here.

• Seattle Parks & Rec – Hiawatha (currently on-site at Lafayette)

• Island Time (bus)

• Cometa Playschool (playground pickup)

• Blazing Trails at Pathfinder (bus)

• Know another? Tell us so we can add it!

If there is not a child care program that has openings or is convenient for you, please visit the Child Care Resources website or call 1-800-446-1114; they maintain lists of all licensed child care providers in Seattle and can help you identify options.

Enrichment is a PTA program offering fun after-school classes in areas like sports, art, chess, and engineering. Classes are taught by Lafayette teachers and vetted outside venders.

Classes run seasonally in three 8-week sessions each year (Fall, Winter, Spring) for 60-90 minutes after school Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students may sign up for more than one class.

Financial aid— students in need can receive one scholarship per year on a limited basis. Parents who volunteer as class chaperones may also earn free tuition.

Enrichment isn’t aftercare. It’s a chance for students to explore new interests while giving families a little extra time after school once a week.

Preview the upcoming season and set up your registration here.

Get in touch with our Enrichment Coordinators: enrichment@lafayettepta.com

If you can, we encourage each family to volunteer for two activities during the year—big or small, it all helps. Opportunities include:

• Events (Move-a-Thon, Talent Show, Craft Fair, Auction, Clothing Swap)

• Classroom, library, and lunchroom volunteering (requires district approval)

• Behind-the-scenes work (decorating, organizing, setup/cleanup)

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@lafayettepta.com to get started.

How to Get Approved as an SPS Volunteer: Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. To become an approved volunteer, follow these steps:

• Visit the SPS Volunteer Page to review the Online Training – Preventing Sexual Abuse of Children and Youth (17 min video) and the Volunteer Handbook.

• Complete the Volunteer Application: Visit our school's website or contact the front office to obtain a volunteer application form. Fill it out thoroughly and provide any necessary supporting documents.

• Background Check: As part of the approval process, all volunteers are required to undergo a background check. This measure helps maintain a secure environment for our students. This process takes up to two weeks and is good for two years.

We love our Lafayette community, and we hope to get to know you soon! Some ideas for how to meet other families are:

• Chat at drop-off/pick-up on the playground (many families stay to play after school).

• Attend PTA events and volunteer.

• Reach out to your child’s teacher or other parents for playdates.

• Sign up to be a Room Parent for your student’s classroom.

• Incident between students : 

  • Depending on the severity of the incident, you may hear from your teacher, the Vice Principal, or the Principal.

• Shelter in place / Lockdown :

  • The SPS District is in charge of all releases for lockdowns and shelters in place. They are also in charge of all follow-up information. How quickly info is released is based on the situation.

Lost and Found is available inside the school on a rolling rack, typically in the hallway near the garden entrance. Items will be donated by Lafayette Staff at least once per quarter, so have your student check regularly!

There are currently no plans to renovate the building in any major way. It has undergone smaller renovations (HVAC, seismic, basic upkeep) over the past few years.

Unfortunately, no. Turf installation costs far exceed PTA capacity, and maintenance liability would permanently fall on the PTA.

Lafayette’s playground doubles as a public park through an agreement between Seattle Parks & SPS. This means year-round access, though it also comes with upkeep challenges. Gates are locked during school hours.

During the school year, please let the Lafayette school administrators know. In the summer, you can email the PTA’s general inbox or contact SPS grounds maintenance directly by text.

The PTA brings families and teachers together to support our students and school community. We raise funds for programs like classroom tutors, art, music, garden science, and field trips; organize events that build community; and provide resources so teachers and kids have what they need to thrive.

Executive roles (President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer) are elected each spring by the general membership. All other board and committee positions are appointed by the Executive Board and stay open until filled. If you’re interested, let us know anytime—we’d love to have you involved!

Information about board positions can be found here.

No—anyone can join events or volunteer! Membership dues cover state/national fees and support smooth PTA operations.

Each adult who wishes to vote in PTA matters must purchase their own individual annual membership. If multiple adults in your household want to vote, please purchase a membership for each of them.

One membership = One vote

As a PTA member, you’ll receive exclusive discounts through Washington State PTA and National PTA. You’ll receive your membership ID and access information via email after joining. Your annual membership is good for the current school year, July 1st - June 30th.

Purchase your annual membership here today!

The mission of the Lafayette PTA is to “support the school’s academic success and enrich the student experience while building a strong community.”

Yes! Lafayette PTA is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Here is our Tax ID # 91-1079172.

A lot! PTA funding supports many programs at Lafayette:

• Classroom tutors – Extra instructional support to help students succeed in reading and math.

• Garden Science Program – Hands-on science lessons that connect kids with nature and sustainability.

• Teacher & classroom support – Supplies, books, arts, PE, music, and more so teachers have what they need.

• Curriculum support – Programs and materials like Lexia, Writers in the Schools, grade level projects, and intervention resources that strengthen learning.

• Student access – Financial aid for field trips, camp, and after-school activities so every child can participate.

• Student enrichment – Assemblies, talent shows, leadership programs, and playground equipment.

• After-school enrichment – Extracurricular classes that give students opportunities to explore new interests beyond the classroom

• Minor Building improvements – Refresh projects that make the school a better place to learn.

These events raise the funds that power our programs and teacher support all year:

• Move-a-Thon (Fall): Students collect pledges and run laps around the school track—one of our most spirited fundraisers.

• Auction (Spring): An adults-only evening with tickets, community donations, and big auction items—our largest fundraiser of the year.

We hold three General PTA meetings each school year—one in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the spring. Meetings are virtual and open to all. Check our calendar and events to see when the next meeting will be hosted. Outside of these, most planning is handled by the PTA Board of Directors.

We organize a variety of free and low-cost events that bring families together and give students a chance to shine. Highlights include:

• Clothing Swap: Donate and “shop” for free clothing—everything is community-shared and extras go to the West Seattle Food Bank.

• Winter Craft Fair: Students sell their handmade creations, often teaming up with friends or siblings.

• Book Fair: Supports our school library and librarian, Ms. Nakagawa.

• Family Dance: A fun night of music and lights in the gym.

• Family Skate Nights: Grade-level skate nights at Southgate Roller Rink & Arcade.

• Talent Show: A two-night celebration of our Leopards’ many talents.

We also organize family outings to local events where you can purchase discounted tickets through the PTA. Typical outings include Mariners, Sounders, Reign, and Seawolves games, as well as arts performances like The Nutcracker. Ticketed events will be announced throughout the year—watch our newsletter and PTA calendar for updates.

See our calendar and events pages for more info on upcoming events!

It’s a collaboration among local PTAs to share resources with under-resourced schools. Lafayette PTA membership votes yearly in the budget process to contribute a portion of our PTA funds to this effort so all students in West Seattle benefit.

Learn more about the Equity Fund here.

The PTA has a budget each year that we do our best to stay within. If you have spent money on a PTA event, you can submit a reimbursement request to our PTA Treasurers. Reimbursements need to be submitted within 60 days, and all checks cashed before June 30th. Email our treasurer at treasurer@lafayettepta.com before your event to find out what your budget is!

We love hearing new ideas! Share them with any PTA member and send us an email. Also, know that we may ask you to help bring your idea to life. You don’t need to be on the Board to get involved—many of our best events and projects come from parents who just jumped in to help.