ALMOND THURSDAY WORD - October 6, 2016

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• 10/11 thru 10/15 - Scholastic Book Fair
• Wednesday, 10/12 - Photo Make Up Day
• Thursday, 10/13 - Minimum Day (Dismissal at 12:15pm)
• Saturday, 10/15 - Almond Walkathon
• Wednesday, 10/26 - PTA General Meeting (Multi, 8:30am)
• Friday, 10/28 - Halloween Carnival (Blacktop, 3:30pm)
• Friday, 11/11 - Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE

“There is a sweet spot where ‘originals’ seem to live...Look, being original is not easy.  But I have no doubt about this; it’s the best way to improve the world around us.”  - Adam Grant’s (professor at Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania) TED Talk:  The surprising habits of original thinkers

Today I spent the day with some of my esteemed LASD peers visiting a school of original thinkers in Poway, San Diego at Design 39 Campus.  This remarkable school follows its North Star of “developing complex thinkers who elevate humanity.”  While visiting a classroom, I met a 1st grader named Ava who gave my friend and me a tour.  As she transitioned us from one space to the next, she explained that this was where she went to learn in her “sweet spot.”  Fluidity permeated every corner of the campus.  There was a deep sense of ownership of learning and profound trust in the capacity of every member to contribute worth.  The COD (chief door opener - aka principal) shared openly the successes and challenges that this community of learners has experienced together.

Almond and LASD educators - I am so proud of OUR work. 

“Being original is NOT easy.  But I have no doubt about this; it’s the best way to improve the world around us.” 

Our tireless pursuit to reimagine the learning experience for children, will “elevate humanity.”  The masterful blending of WHAT we want students to know > understand with innovative practices in HOW they learn - is the key. 

Stay the course. 

I am with you every step of the way. 

Always.

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

MAKING LEARNING RELEVANT - PLEASE READ

• One Fish, Two Fish…We Want a New Fish!
• Miss Ohlund’s reading group is practicing their reading skills in context through an authentic learning experience.  The current standard in focus is citing text evidence to support a claim.  Students have been reading and researching about the benefits of classroom pets, as well as how to take care of them.  They have then sought out specific evidence through their research to support their claims about the types of supplies we will need to support a betta fish in our classroom: size of tank needed, how often to clean the tank, etc.  The group is now developing ways to raise money towards actually buying a pet betta fish!  After researching the cost of all of the supplies needed, the group is now developing ways of advertising a donation fundraiser.  Keep your eye out for informational posters and marketing materials around our school.
• Please see the announcement below written by one of the students in the reading group.  
  • Hi there, this is Miss Ohlund’s reading class asking for donations towards our class betta fish. We think we have worked very hard because we spent 3 weeks learning about betta fish. We learned that betta fish need many supplies that we will need to buy. One of the things that we need to buy is some food, like bloodworms. We also need a 3 gallon fish tank to fit the fish, a filter, heater, rocks, and some plants to help make the fish feel comfortable.
  • Please donate at the Office or Room 23. Our goal is to raise $150-200.
  • Miss Ohlund’s reading group is very excited about getting a class betta fish.
  • If you can donate one dollar or more, we would be happy. If you have any questions, go to Miss Ohlund’s classroom (Room 23) or email her lohlund@lasdschools.org. Thank you!

FALL BOOK FAIR

• The Book Fair is coming next week! Please join us for the Grand Opening Coffee on Tuesday, October 11 at 8:30am. The Fair will be open October 11 - 15 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:15am-3:45pm , Thursday, 8:15am – 12:45pm, and during the Walkathon on Saturday, 9am-3pm). You can also order online now through October 22 at this website.  The Almond PTA uses funds raised from the Book Fair to purchase books for teacher classrooms and the school library.
• Want to see the kids during the Book Fair?  Consider volunteering for a shift or two here or contact Marcsi Elovson at mkratochwill@yahoo.com.
• If you have any questions, please contact Marcsi Elovson at mkratochwill@yahoo.com or Joy Yu at jungmin.yu@gmail.com.

LAEF:  It’s LAEF Phonathon Week!

Our volunteers and LASD staff are busy making calls to help LAEF meet our $3.7M goal and to encourage 100% participation from every district family. We just hit the $1M mark, and it’s not too late to help LAEF pay for our amazing enrichment teachers and program staff for THIS school year. To learn more, pledge or donate at LAEFonline.org.

LAEF:  The LAEF Annual Report 2015/16 is Here

Our board of parent volunteers would like to recognize the amazing difference our community of supporters made in our classrooms last year. We are pleased to share our 2015-16 Annual Report. Check it out at LAEFonline.org, and you’ll learn more about which two newly-expanded programs received 42% of our grant, why 2,193 donors contributed, the Los Altos Art Docents’ big anniversary, and how 600 families doubled their donation. Thank you!

INFORMATION SESSION 4 SYNOPSYS SILICON VALLEY SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CHAMPIONSHIP

• Sponsored by Synopsys, the Championship is a regional science and engineering fair competition for students in Santa Clara County held on March 23, 2017.  LASD 6th, 7th and 8th graders are invited to enter!! Our students compete in the middle school (grades 6-8) division for awards and prizes in multiple areas of study.  LASD students have won prizes in prior years, and gained valuable experience with science, engineering and project management.  Winners of the Synopsys Championship compete in the California State Science Fair and may advance to the prestigious Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, which presents nearly $4 million in prizes and scholarships each year.
• Students and parents are invited to attend the Synopsys Championship Information Session to learn more about this opportunity and how to enter: Sunday, October 16, 3:30 - 4:00 pm, Covington Elementary Multipurpose Room, 201 Covington Road, Los Altos
• For more information, see the 2017 Synopsys Championship website at http://www.science-fair.org
• Questions?  Contact LASD STEM Coordinator Karen Wilson at kwilson@lasdschools.org

INFORMATION SESSION 4 TECH CHALLENGE

• Come to the informational meeting for all LASD 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and their parents interested in participating in The Tech Challenge, hosted by the Tech Museum.  You'll form a team to compete to solve a real-world problem in this annual design challenge.  This year's challenge is “Rock the Ravine:” Your team will design and build a device to help explorers cross an ice field with multiple ravines. Tech Challenge projects build skills in problem solving, time management, creativity, and teamwork, while working through the engineering design cycle as you build and test your design.  Most importantly--it's great fun!!!
• Students and parents are invited to attend the Tech Challenge Information Session to learn more about this opportunity and how to enter: Sunday, October 16, 4:30 - 5:00pm, Covington Elementary Multipurpose Room, 201 Covington Road, Los Altos
• The event day will be April 29, 2016 for grades 4 to 6, and April 30 for grades 7 and 8.  
• For more information on the Tech Challenge, visit the website at http://thetechchallenge.thetech.org/
• Questions?  Contact LASD STEM Coordinator Karen Wilson at kwilson@lasdschools.org

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - REPEATED

WALKATHON ON SATURDAY, 10/15

• Registration for the walkathon is OPEN - go to the Almond homepage to register.
• Mark your calendar for the Walkathon: Saturday, October 15th from 9:30am - 3pm.
• We are still looking for volunteers (contact Andrea Baum: parjbaum@comcast.net)!
• Please consider donating to the silent auction: parties, vacations, events, tickets, etc (contact Darren Crawford: crawford.darren@gmail.com)!
• Any other questions for the Walkathon, contact Suzanne Jensen (suzcjensen@yahoo.com) or Barbara Daniels (bsdaniels@gmail.com)

PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST

Carve out some family fun and submit your best decorated pumpkin for the Almond Halloween Carnival Pumpkin Decorating contest.  Drop off your entry at the Rotunda during Drop Off on Friday, October 28.  They will be on display all day.  Prizes will be awarded for "Scariest" "Funniest" and " Most Creative" in two age groups (3rd Grade and Below and 4th Grade and Above).  Winners will be posted after school on the same day and prizes can be picked up during the Halloween Carnival.  Pumpkins should be picked up and taken home on your way home from the carnival.  For more information contact:  Lesley Sehnert at SehnertX4@gmail.com

DIGITAL SAFETY PRESENTATION AT LOYOLA ELEMENTARY

The Project Cornerstone program at Loyola is hosting Officer Ryan Langone for a digital safety presentation on Wednesday, November 9th at 7 p.m. and has invited parents from across the district to attend. HERE is the flyer is and HERE is the link for registering.

ALMOND COMMUNITY SERVICES - STUFFED ANIMAL COLLECTION DRIVE BENEFITING "GOOD NEWS BEARS"!

• Too Many Stuffed Animals, Kids Outgrowing those Stuffed Animals, Stuffed Animals Just Gathering Dust? Or Does Your Child Want to Donate a Stuffed Animal to help another Child in Need?
• Please consider donating your gently used/new stuffed animals and teddy bears to Almond Community Service's collection drive benefiting Good News Bears http://goodnewsbears.org/  Good News Bears' mission is to provide teddy bears to hurt, traumatized, or abused children as well as adults. Almond Community Services is conducting a Gently Used and New Stuffed Animal Collection Drive from September 21st through October 15th. We will have a collection box in the office marked with "Good News Bears." So please consider donating 1, 2 or 3 or more stuffed animals to a worthwhile cause and give some comfort to a child in need (while cleaning out your closets!).
• We will be collecting stuffed animals (any type of stuffed animal is fine!) from small “mini beanie baby” up to about 24” sized stuffed animals. Think of what you would give your child – if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for Good News Bears!  Couple of requests: Please Plush Only (no battery operated animals, dolls, or hard toys); Ensure the stuffed animals are in good shape; Come from a non-smoking home; and if you have the inclination a tumble through the washer, or even just the dryer with a dryer sheet helps out lot!
• If you have any questions, please contact Seema Chavan (bhimsee@yahoo.com) or Polly Liu (polly@beau-coup.com).

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

MVLA PARENT EDUCATION - Parenting with Presence: Raising Confident and Caring Kids by Susan Stiffelman
“Our children can be our greatest teachers…” Parenting expert Susan Stiffelman will talk about how the behaviors that push our buttons can help us build awareness, allowing us to raise our children with ease and enjoyment. With stories and practical advice, Susan will teach us how to become the parents we most want to be while raising confident, caring children and teens.

• Tuesday, October 18, 2016 7:00-9:00pm, Los Altos High School Eagle Theater, 201 Almond Avenue, Los Altos
• Reserve a seat here, https://susanstiffelman.eventbrite.com

SELPA 1 CAC - Let's Talk

A chance to ask questions and share ideas, resources, and support with other parents of students with IEPs, 504s, learning differences, mental health challenges, etc. All are welcome, participants must respect confidentiality.  Monday October 10, 2016, 10 am - 12 pm - in the Orchard Community Room, Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road.

SELPA 1 CAC Coffee Talk - Special Education 101

• Spanish Language Session, Tuesday Oct. 18, 7 PM - 9 PM, Castro Elementary 505 Escuela Avenue, Mountain View, Multipurpose Room
• English Language Session, Wednesday Oct. 19, 7 PM - 9 PM, Santa Rita Elementary, 700 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos, Multipurpose Room
• No matter what type of disability your child may have, this training will offer a brief overview of the educational rights of parents when a child has a disability. Understanding your rights will help you participate and improve your child's education. Topics will include general education supports, student study team meetings, Section 504, special education referral and assessment timeline, eligibility, and important key rights held by the parent and child.