ALMOND THURSDAY WORD

June 1, 2017

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• Friday, 6/2
  • TK/Kinder Spring Music Concert (11am, Multi)
  • Minimum Day (School Ends at 12:15pm)
• Thursday, 6/8
  • Last Day of School
  • 6th Grade Promotion (multi doors open @ 8:45am, ceremony @ 9am)
  • MINIMUM DAY (school starts *8:30am* and ends at *11:30am*)

SCHOOL MESSAGE

Almond School Focus for 2017-18

• Promote a positive and supportive school environment so that students may SOAR (solve problems, own learning, always make good choices, respect self and others).
• Provide students with high quality, engaging first instruction that leverages proven and effective learning structures such as the workshop model, direct instruction, multidisciplinary and project based learning opportunities.
• Respond to diverse academic learning needs through concentrated instruction.
• Include students in self-assessment as part of a balanced assessment philosophy.

Student Homeroom Placement
In 2017-18 students will be heterogeneously placed into grade level homerooms.  The staff has received clear guidance regarding the many factors to consider in developing balanced homerooms.  Teachers are working together creating groups of students without any associated teacher.  Over the summer, I will be assigning teachers to the various groups.  As principal, I monitor each and every homeroom list and will make all final decisions regarding placement.  We will share homeroom placement information via email with parents the Friday before school starts in August (8/11).

Staffing Adjustments
The saying goes, “The only constant in life is change.”  Each year, teachers communicate with LASD leadership the different grade levels they’re interested in teaching.  Each year, our leadership team works with teachers to ensure they’re positioned in a spot that inspires them, grows their expertise, and best leverages their skillset.  A change in grade level is not a reflection that the previous grade level wasn’t a right fit, nor does it signal unhappiness.  Instead, it is simply a new professional opportunity.

Updates Regarding Staff Departures for the 2017-18 School Year
We thank each member that is transitioning to a new opportunity for their time and dedication here at Almond and we wish them our very best.

• Joseph Chan will be joining the LASD music team and lending his talents to all elementary schools across the district.
• Cassidy Dadigian will be moving to Washington State.
• Caitlin Florek will be teaching 4th grade at Loyola Elementary.
• Diana Psyras will be joining her husband in retirement.

Teaching Roster for 2017-18

• Transitional Kindergarten:  Lisa Schubert
• Kindergarten:  Sarah Johnston, Leanne Kridl, Laurie Lamb
• First Grade:  Jenny Eldridge, Savanna Goltzer, Samantha Nguyen
• Second Grade:  Rachel Doblick, TBD
• Third Grade:  Sarah Hall, Joann Martinez, Tammy Reilly
• Fourth Grade:  Annie Daggett, Kelsey Greene, Jenny Wishnack
• Fifth Grade:  Vicki Burke, Laura Ohlund, Kaitlyn Pasket
• Sixth Grade:  Allison Aubrey, Jessica Saretsky, Jasen Stuart
• Instructional Support Teacher (IST), STEM: Elizabeth Leach
• Instructional Support Teacher (IST), Literacy Focus:  Jill Croft
• PE Teachers:  Mary Alber, Doug Core
• ELD Teacher:  Jessica Mountz
• RSP Teacher:  Melissa Powell
• Speech Teacher:  Julie Chen

More About Those Joining Almond

• Jill Croft : [Every elementary school will have an Instructional Support Teacher (IST) this upcoming year who is focused on literacy.] I have been a teacher in LASD for 18 years.  I am passionate about literacy and helping all students grow to become engaged and enthusiastic readers.  I am excited to collaborate with teachers at Almond in the implementation of Reader’s Workshop. In my spare time I enjoys reading, DIY projects, hiking, and spending time with my husband Mike, and my 11 and 8 year old sons, Drew and Charlie.
• Savanna Goltzer:  I am thrilled to join Los Altos School District next year as a first grade teacher at Almond! I was born and raised in the Bay Area and come from a family of teachers that have instilled a passion for education within me from a young age. After graduating from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in English, I returned home to the Bay Area to begin my journey as a teacher. In June, I will graduate from Santa Clara University, earning my Master of Arts in Teaching and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I have had the pleasure of student teaching at Almond this school year, and I am so excited to become a part of the wonderful team of teachers there. I am very excited to start teaching and I cannot wait for August!
• Kaitlyn Pasket:  I was born and raised in the Bay Area. When I was younger, I would have my siblings play pretend school with me, and I would be the teacher. I enjoyed every aspect of it, but it wasn’t until I was in 4^th grade that my teacher fully initiated the spark in me to pursue a career in teaching. I wanted to become a teacher that was engaging and connected with all of the students, just like she did. I started my teaching journey by attending CSU Monterey Bay to receive my Bachelors of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Human Development. From there, I came back to the Bay Area to obtain my Master’s Degree in Teaching and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Santa Clara University. I completed my student teaching at Almond Elementary. I am beyond excited to officially become an eagle at Almond Elementary and being a part of the LASD family!

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

STUDENT COUNCIL

• The homelessness fundraiser is over. We have raised $2,318.46 to donate to the Community Housing Project. We were so close to reaching our goal! Mrs. Nuyen's class won for the most money raised for the months of April/May. Thank you those who supported this cause.
• Homeroom Challenge spirit day is on Friday! What will your homeroom come to school dressed as? We can’t wait to see!

S.O.A.R. CELEBRATIONS
(listed alphabetically by last name)

• ​Georgeanne Brothers, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Svea Delingat, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Brayan Hernandez Gonzalez, 5/26, Owning learning.​ Brayan makes a great effort in his learning.
• Daniela Hughes, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Zac Jackson, 5/19, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Josh Kozo, 5/30, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Natalie Larson, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Olivia Lee, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Andrew Onodera, 5/24, Owning learning.
• Michael Park, 5/26, Respecting self and others. Michael is always thoughtful and kind to other students.
• Haley Phillips, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Jackson Robles, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Avish Roy, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Diya Ruhela, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Daisy Sanders, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.
• Felix Wikman, 5/24, Respecting self and others.
• Evan Zhu, 5/22, Owning learning, Always making good choices.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Free One-on-One Reading Program offered by Teen Tutors
Are you interested in helping your child (Kindergarten to second grade) learn to read or practice reading skills? Teen Tutors is launching a reading program at the Los Altos Library on Saturdays with two sessions: 10:30am-11:15am and 11:15am-12pm. Come meet by the children’s desk to get started. Your child can receive free one-on-one attention from a trained high school volunteer. They can choose their favorite books to read, or have appropriate books chosen for them. Help your child develop a love of reading and practice reading comprehension skills! Early readers are welcome. The program is open to kindergarten through second graders.
Sessions available:

• June 10, 17, 24, July 1
• July 8, 15, 22, 29
• August 5, 12, 19, 26

To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/TTReadToMe

WANT TO SUBMIT SOMETHING TO THE THURSDAY WORD?

Send announcements to us at AlmondThursdayWord@lasdschools.org by 12:00pm Monday, for that week's Word. Keep your announcements brief and, if applicable, send a PDF version of any flyer or additional information to be posted on the website.

Quick Links…

School & Community News now found via Peachjar:

https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138&region=53999

Almond Elementary School Website

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