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March 23, 2018

ALMOND THURSDAY WORD
March 22, 2018

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

  • Friday, 3/23
    • School Coffee re: Social Emotional Learning (8:30am, STEM Lab)
    • International Festival (6:00pm, Multi)
  • Monday, 3/26, Books Inc. Book Fair Starts (ends Friday, 3/30)
  • Saturday, 3/31, Almond Community Service Event (9:30am, Multi)
  • Tuesday, 4/3, STEM Expo (TBD, Multi)
  • 4/9 - 4/13, Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
  • Wednesday, 4/18, PTA General Meeting (8:30am, Multi)
  • Friday, 4/20, School Coffee re: TBD (8:30am, STEM Lab)
  • Tuesday, 4/24, Almond Singer Concert (7pm, Multi)
  • Saturday, 4/28, LASD Junior Olympics (8am-4pm, Mountain View High)
  • Tuesday, 5/8, LASD Gr. 4-6 Music Concert (1pm, Multi)
  • 5/14 - 5/18, 6th Graders at Science Camp
  • Friday, 5/18, School Coffee re: TBD (8:30am, STEM Lab)
  • Wednesday, 5/23, PTA General Meeting (8:30am, Multi)
  • Thursday, 5/24, Open House (6pm - 7pm)
  • Friday, 5/25, Minimum Day - Dismissal at 12:15pm
  • Monday, 5/28, Holiday - NO SCHOOL
  • Saturday, 5/31, Make Comfort Bags for Foster Kids (9:30am, Multi)
  • Friday, 6/1, Minimum Day - Dismissal at 12:15pm
  • Tuesday, 6/5
    • TK/K CSMA Parent Concert (1pm, Multi)
    • Gr. 1 - 3 CSMA Parent Concert (2pm, Multi)
  • Thursday, 6/7
    • Last Day of School
    • Morning Assembly (8:30am, Multi)
    • 6th Grade Promotion (8:45am doors open for seating, 9:00am ceremony begins)
    • Minimum Day Dismissal - 12:15pm

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE

My Stroke of Insight is a book I devoured years ago.  However, just recently, I stumbled upon Jill Bolte Taylor’s captivating TedTalk.  She’s a brain scientist who was able to study her own brain from the inside out.

We often speak about growing our brains at Almond; about owning our learning.  A large component of this is the advancement of skills in relation to various content areas (reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies).  The left hemisphere of our brains controls reasoning, logic, and language.  Our right hemisphere is responsible for our imagination, creativity, intuition, and our connection to all that is around us.  This is where our social emotional growth lives.

Jill believes we have the capacity within us to “purposely choose to step to the right of [our] left hemisphere” and that by doing this we have the “power to choose who and how we want to be in the world.”  This requires us to balance being in the present moment, as opposed to the past and future.  This requires us to enhance our listening skills, to fine tune our empathy, and to tap into compassion.

Join us tomorrow morning in the STEM Lab at 8:30am for a School Coffee focused on how Almond supports social emotional learning through classroom practices and our school wide Project Cornerstone initiative.  

Hope to see you there!

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

[CORRECTED LINK] BOOKS INC. BOOK FAIR MARCH 26 THROUGH MARCH 30
Mark your calendars - The Books Inc. Book Fair begins Monday, March 26 and runs until lunchtime Friday March 30. We need volunteers to help make this event successful. Please click this link to sign up to help!

WALK OR WHEEL DAY, WEDNESDAY, 3/28

  • Make a special effort to walk, bike, or scooter to school on this day. Promote less car traffic near our school, better health for our kids and the environment, and community spirit!
  • Participating children can pick up a chain and colorful foot charm to hang on their backpacks.
  • As usual, participating children fill out tickets before school with their first names and put them in their teachers' cans to enter a raffle for individual and class prizes. Come early so kids aren't late to class! Thanks for supporting your kids and our community.

YEARBOOK PICTURES NEEDED
If you have pictures that you would like to submit of your children, please look for the correct category below and select the link to upload.  If you don't see a category, please submit under "General Almond Pictures.”  Things to keep in mind: Need pictures that are NOT blurry - higher the resolution the better.  Pictures that have clear faces do best.

REPEATED ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTENTION 6TH GRADE PARENTS

  • Each year, there is a slideshow during the 6th grade Promotion event highlighting our amazing kids and their time at Almond. I am working on the yearbook and slideshow right now and could use a few more photos as I want to make sure *ALL your* children are included in the slideshow.
  • Here is my ask:
    • Send me your good pics from K-6th grade of your class
    • Group and individual photos are welcome
    • School events only — on campus, field trips, Jr. Olympics, class parties/projects, etc
    • Deadline — We appreciate if you can upload any photos as soon as possibLe.
      • Monday 4/16 for the 6th Grade Yearbook Extension pages
      • Monday 5/21 for the Graduation Promotion slideshow
  • Upload your photos to these links:  Please drop your children's photos into these folders according to his/her years in school.
  • You can check out the photos uploaded so far by clicking "Done" (top right corner) from the page linked above. Please feel free to forward the link to anyone who might have photos, but not be on this list.
  • I know that everyone is super busy right now. Thank you in advance for taking some time to send in photos - I am hoping to showcase all the kids in the slideshow.
  • If you have any questions at all, please email me <tvsatam@gmail.com>.

FUN AND HANDS-ON COMMUNITY SERVICES EVENT - RSVP REQUIRED

  • Please join us in the multi on Saturday, March 31st, from 9:30am to 10:30am to make comfort bags for foster children!  We will fill pillowcases with stuffed toys, books, socks, games, etc. and make personalized name tags and cards for each foster kid.
  • In order to fill 50+ comfort bags, we need your help Almond Families!
  • There are three ways to help and you have till March 21st:
    • 1) Sign up here to donate an item (or more!)
    • 2) Sign up here to make a complete comfort bag for a specific child.  
    • 3) Paypal Cash - If you would prefer to donate cash and have us shop, please Paypal your cash donation to Seema at bhimsee@yahoo.com.
  • RSVP Required for Event
    • To RSVP for the comfort bag making event, please email Polly at polly@beau-coup.com with number of attendees.  Space is limited so please RSVP as soon as you are able.  

Come to the 5th Annual International Celebration and be Wowed by Mexican Guitarist, Ukranian Dance Troupe, Filipino Pro Dance Troupe and Our very own Student Performers
We are looking forward to an amazing line up for performers for the 5th Annual International Celebration on Friday, March 23rd from 6 to 8 pm in the Almond Multi. Please bring a favorite "international (or favorite)" dish to share (appetizer, entrée, or dessert) (serving 8-10 people) and catch up with friends and make new ones!). This year we are pleased to announce that families will be wowed by performances from our very own student performers Gabriel Barisic performing a Croatian Dance, Lucas Yao performing on the Chinese Drums and by performances by the Kaisahan of San Jose Dance Company (Filipino) and the San Francisco based Ukrainian Dance Group "Burevisnyky". Please look out for the flyer coming home with your children - but we promise the evening promises to be an amazing evening of food, dance and music in celebration of our International diversity.

  • If your child would like to participate and share in a performance please contact Lori and Seema.
  • If you can help with the planning/organization of the event before hand or have ideas of how we can improve the event please let us know!  
  • If you can spare and hour or two the day of the event to help setup please come to the Almond multi at noon - all hands are appreciated!

We look forward to seeing Almond families at the International Celebration! For information or to signup to perform - please contact Seema Chavan (bhimsee@Yahoo.com) or Lori Sevcik (loriandshea@me.com).  

REGISTER FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL STEM EXPO

  • The 4th Annual STEM Expo is coming on April 3rd! The STEM Expo participation is open to any student in grades K-6 and this year, there is a new category to consider. This year, STEM Expo includes the category of Coding/Programming and students must create their own original coding project. STEM Expo allows students to work with other students from different grade levels and families can work together on a project. If your child is interested in participating, please go to THIS website to complete the “Intent to Participate”.
  • Also, Mrs. Leach is looking for volunteers to help with the set-up of the Expo, as well as parents that are willing to interview students about their projects. Please go to THIS website to check out volunteer opportunities to help promote science learning at Almond School.
  • If you have additional questions about STEM Expo after visiting THIS website, please feel free to contact Mrs. Leach at eleach@lasdschools.org.

LASD PARENT ED TALKS - NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)

  • In this one-hour parent session, STEM IST’s and LASD science teachers will share how students are building their understanding of science in order to make sense of the world around them through the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  The NGSS provide a strong science education that equips students with the ability to think critically, analyze information, and solve complex problems.
  • Friday, March 23, 2018 from 9:30am - 10:30am, Los Altos School District Offices
    iLearn Studio (201 Covington Road, Los Altos, CA 94024)

ATTENTION 4th • 5th • 6th GRADERS - THE 58TH LASD JUNIOR OLYMPICS IS COMING!

  • Saturday, April 28, 2017 /  8am-4pm  /  Mountain View High School
  • The LASD Junior Olympics Committee has already been working hard to make Junior Olympics 2018 a day to remember.  Please mark your calendars for Saturday, April 28th for a fun-filled day at Mountain View High School.  It will begin with the 1320 yd run at 8:00am, followed by opening ceremonies at 9 am.  From about 9:30-1:30 will be most of the track and field events.  (listed below).  You won't want to miss the very popular Mascot Mania which takes place around 1:30pm.  The day ends at roughly 3:45 with the dash finals, hurdle finals and the relay races.  Bring the whole family but please leave your pets at home.  There will be lunch, snacks and drinks for sale AND plenty of opportunities for you to volunteer your time to make this day extra special for your child!
  • General Information
    • Every 4th, 5th and 6th grader in Los Altos School District is invited to participate in the 57th Annual Junior Olympics! This event brings together the seven LASD elementary schools for a friendly track & field competition, in which everyone is encouraged to strive for their personal best and cheer on their classmates as they compete. More information and important Junior Olympics dates available atlasdjo.com.
    • Save the dates!
    • We Need Your Help Training our Young Athletes! Click 2018 Almond JO PE Training Volunteers to sign up.  

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

  • Caelus Balucan, 3/19/18, Solving problems, Owning learning, Always making good choices. Maximizing your learning by moving to a different area to work.
  • Evan Udoh, 3/21/18, Solving problems, Owning learning, Always making good choices, Respecting self and others. Trying really hard to follow the rules!

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The 17th Annual Los Altos Hills Pathways Run/Walk

  • Saturday, May 5, 2018 – 9 AM, NOTE: New date – 1st Saturday in May
  • For $10 off, use Discount Code “homerun”
  • Come out for the 17th Annual Los Altos Hills Pathways Run/Walk, and make Los Altos Hills Pathways your home run!
  • This year we are holding the event one week earlier than the normal scheduled weekend and it will be held on Saturday May 5th, 2018.
  • This year's event will enjoy a special Cinco de Mayo theme so wear your favorite festive running attire.  Free sombreros for interested participants will available at packet pickup and race day while supplies last.
  • This fun annual event begins at the Westwind Community Barn, runs through the Byrne Preserve and extends into the Los Altos Hills Pathways system.  The run features a hilly and challenging 5K and 10K Pathways Run/Walk and a 1-Mile Fun Run. Special comfy Home Run race shirts will be provided along with finisher medals to those who register. To register, volunteer, or for more race information, contact Sarah Robustelli 650-947-2518, srobustelli@losaltoshills.ca.gov or visit the event website at www.lahpathwaysrun.org.
  • New this year are “Team” registrations so that your family or group of friends can all register as a team to compete and compare your race results and registration numbers with other team members or other teams!
  • Date: Saturday May 5, 2018

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
Copyright © 2003-2016 Los Altos School District.  All rights reserved.

ALMOND THURSDAY WORD
March 22, 2018

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

  • Friday, 3/23
    • School Coffee re: Social Emotional Learning (8:30am, STEM Lab)
    • International Festival (6:00pm, Multi)
  • Monday, 3/26, Books Inc. Book Fair Starts (ends Friday, 3/30)
  • Saturday, 3/31, Almond Community Service Event (9:30am, Multi)
  • Tuesday, 4/3, STEM Expo (TBD, Multi)
  • 4/9 - 4/13, Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
  • Wednesday, 4/18, PTA General Meeting (8:30am, Multi)
  • Friday, 4/20, School Coffee re: TBD (8:30am, STEM Lab)
  • Tuesday, 4/24, Almond Singer Concert (7pm, Multi)
  • Saturday, 4/28, LASD Junior Olympics (8am-4pm, Mountain View High)
  • Tuesday, 5/8, LASD Gr. 4-6 Music Concert (1pm, Multi)
  • 5/14 - 5/18, 6th Graders at Science Camp
  • Friday, 5/18, School Coffee re: TBD (8:30am, STEM Lab)
  • Wednesday, 5/23, PTA General Meeting (8:30am, Multi)
  • Thursday, 5/24, Open House (6pm - 7pm)
  • Friday, 5/25, Minimum Day - Dismissal at 12:15pm
  • Monday, 5/28, Holiday - NO SCHOOL
  • Saturday, 5/31, Make Comfort Bags for Foster Kids (9:30am, Multi)
  • Friday, 6/1, Minimum Day - Dismissal at 12:15pm
  • Tuesday, 6/5
    • TK/K CSMA Parent Concert (1pm, Multi)
    • Gr. 1 - 3 CSMA Parent Concert (2pm, Multi)
  • Thursday, 6/7
    • Last Day of School
    • Morning Assembly (8:30am, Multi)
    • 6th Grade Promotion (8:45am doors open for seating, 9:00am ceremony begins)
    • Minimum Day Dismissal - 12:15pm

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE

My Stroke of Insight is a book I devoured years ago.  However, just recently, I stumbled upon Jill Bolte Taylor’s captivating TedTalk.  She’s a brain scientist who was able to study her own brain from the inside out.

We often speak about growing our brains at Almond; about owning our learning.  A large component of this is the advancement of skills in relation to various content areas (reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies).  The left hemisphere of our brains controls reasoning, logic, and language.  Our right hemisphere is responsible for our imagination, creativity, intuition, and our connection to all that is around us.  This is where our social emotional growth lives.

Jill believes we have the capacity within us to “purposely choose to step to the right of [our] left hemisphere” and that by doing this we have the “power to choose who and how we want to be in the world.”  This requires us to balance being in the present moment, as opposed to the past and future.  This requires us to enhance our listening skills, to fine tune our empathy, and to tap into compassion.

Join us tomorrow morning in the STEM Lab at 8:30am for a School Coffee focused on how Almond supports social emotional learning through classroom practices and our school wide Project Cornerstone initiative.  

Hope to see you there!

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

[CORRECTED LINK] BOOKS INC. BOOK FAIR MARCH 26 THROUGH MARCH 30
Mark your calendars - The Books Inc. Book Fair begins Monday, March 26 and runs until lunchtime Friday March 30. We need volunteers to help make this event successful. Please click this link to sign up to help!

WALK OR WHEEL DAY, WEDNESDAY, 3/28

  • Make a special effort to walk, bike, or scooter to school on this day. Promote less car traffic near our school, better health for our kids and the environment, and community spirit!
  • Participating children can pick up a chain and colorful foot charm to hang on their backpacks.
  • As usual, participating children fill out tickets before school with their first names and put them in their teachers' cans to enter a raffle for individual and class prizes. Come early so kids aren't late to class! Thanks for supporting your kids and our community.

YEARBOOK PICTURES NEEDED
If you have pictures that you would like to submit of your children, please look for the correct category below and select the link to upload.  If you don't see a category, please submit under "General Almond Pictures.”  Things to keep in mind: Need pictures that are NOT blurry - higher the resolution the better.  Pictures that have clear faces do best.

REPEATED ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTENTION 6TH GRADE PARENTS

  • Each year, there is a slideshow during the 6th grade Promotion event highlighting our amazing kids and their time at Almond. I am working on the yearbook and slideshow right now and could use a few more photos as I want to make sure *ALL your* children are included in the slideshow.
  • Here is my ask:
    • Send me your good pics from K-6th grade of your class
    • Group and individual photos are welcome
    • School events only — on campus, field trips, Jr. Olympics, class parties/projects, etc
    • Deadline — We appreciate if you can upload any photos as soon as possibLe.
      • Monday 4/16 for the 6th Grade Yearbook Extension pages
      • Monday 5/21 for the Graduation Promotion slideshow
  • Upload your photos to these links:  Please drop your children's photos into these folders according to his/her years in school.
  • You can check out the photos uploaded so far by clicking "Done" (top right corner) from the page linked above. Please feel free to forward the link to anyone who might have photos, but not be on this list.
  • I know that everyone is super busy right now. Thank you in advance for taking some time to send in photos - I am hoping to showcase all the kids in the slideshow.
  • If you have any questions at all, please email me <tvsatam@gmail.com>.

FUN AND HANDS-ON COMMUNITY SERVICES EVENT - RSVP REQUIRED

  • Please join us in the multi on Saturday, March 31st, from 9:30am to 10:30am to make comfort bags for foster children!  We will fill pillowcases with stuffed toys, books, socks, games, etc. and make personalized name tags and cards for each foster kid.
  • In order to fill 50+ comfort bags, we need your help Almond Families!
  • There are three ways to help and you have till March 21st:
    • 1) Sign up





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