As the 2014-15 school year winds down, our Almond staff is working diligently to prepare for the 2015-16 school year.  Our focus will remain on our number one LASD Goal: Meet the individual learning needs of all students. A) Ensure meaningful formative feedback is included as a constant in student/teacher interactions. B) Develop a communication process that allows teachers, students and parents to utilize actionable feedback about each child’s learning. C) Regularly incorporate small group instruction as a method for meeting individual student needs. D) Design learning opportunities that allow for student choice and passion.

We will dedicate our collective capacity to this effort.  As a first step in realizing this goal, as a united staff, we have agreed to teach mathematics (8:30am-9:30am) and language arts (10:30am-11:30am) at the same time every day.  This will support our efforts to ultimately regroup students based on learning needs.  

There is a distinct difference between regrouping and leveling.  Regrouping involves a unit of instruction with clear learning objectives that covers a finite span of time (4-6 weeks).  Students can flexibly move between groups depending on their learning needs.  We will not be leveling (a.k.a. tracking students) for the duration of the year.  

We are, and will continue to undertake a thoughtful, systematic approach while taking it one step at a time to ensure student learning is our continued emphasis.

• Students will still be placed in heterogeneous groups with a grade level teacher.
• Our students will still be learning all subject matters (ELA, math, science, social studies, PE, music, art, STEM, etc…).
• For 2015-16, in grades K-5, our collaborative work will focus on ELA.  In grade 6 it will center on math.
• Prior to regrouping any students, we will gather the necessary, reliable data that informs us in regards to what our students do know and what they still need to learn.
• Initial regrouping (which may not take place until mid year) will occur within grade levels.

Every step of the way we will communicate this work with our community.

Following are some updates regarding staffing for the 2015-16 school year.

• Summer Reeves will be moving to San Luis Obispo to be closer to family.
• Anna Uhm will be teaching 1st grade in the Union School District.  This will permit her to be closer to home to spend more time with her family.
• Lisa Call will be retiring and beginning a new career in marriage and family therapy.
• Sarah Koh, previously at Gardner Bullis, will be joining the Almond staff as a 5th grade teacher
• Raquel Matteroli, previously the interim principal at Covington and our LASD Categorical Programs Coordinator, will be joining the Almond staff as a 3rd grade teacher

Here is the teaching roster for 2015-16.

• Transitional Kindergarten:  Lisa Schubert
• Kindergarten:  Jenny Eldridge, Laurie Lamb, Melissa Powell
• First Grade:  Sarah Hall, Samantha Nguyen, Alicia Peterson
• Second Grade:  Edana Conlon, Nancy Liu, Jill Williams
• Third Grade:  Tammy Reilly, Joann Martinez, Raquel Materolli
• Fourth Grade:  Annie Daggett, Melissa Dowling, Jenny Wishnack
• Fifth Grade:  Joe Chan, Sarah Koh, Laura Ohlund
• Sixth Grade:  Allison Aubrey, Jessica Saretsky, Jasen Stuart
• STEM Teacher: Elizabeth Leach
• PE Teachers:  Mary Alber (TK/K), Candice Marquis (Gr. 1-6)
• ELD Teacher:  Janine Wulfsohn
• RSP Teacher:  Ginny Kalotihos
• Speech Teacher:  Carol Leamon

I look forward to dispelling the myth that has come to my attention through a question I’ve been asked by several students during this school year, “Why is it that a principal can only be a principal for 2 years?" It has been an honor to serve the students, staff, and families of Almond for the past two years and I look forward to a great 3rd year ahead.