ALMOND THURSDAY FRIDAY WORD
May 4, 2018

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• Tuesday, 5/8, LASD Gr. 4-6 Music Concert (1pm, Multi)
• Thursday, 5/10
  • Mulan Musical (Cantonese Cast Call @ 3:30pm, Performance @ 4:30pm)
  • Mulan Musical (Mandarin Cast Call @ 6pm, Performance @ 7pm)
• Friday, 5/11
  • Mulan Musical (Mandarin Cast Call @ 3:30pm, Performance @ 4:30pm)
  • Mulan Musical (Cantonese Cast Call @ 6pm, Performance @ 7pm)
• Saturday, 5/12
  • Mulan Musical (Cantonese Cast Call @ 11:30am, Performance @ 12:30pm)
  • Mulan Musical (Mandarin Cast Call @ 2pm, Performance @ 3pm)
• 5/14 - 5/18, 6th Graders at Science Camp
• Friday, 5/18
  • Fifth Grade Colonial Day
  • School Coffee re: TBD (8:30am, STEM Lab)
• Saturday, 5/19, Los Altos Pet Parade
• Tuesday, 5/22, 6th Grade CSTEM Showcase (3:30-5:30pm, Blach Multi)
• 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
• Tuesday, 5/29, 4th Grade Instrument Quest (5pm - 7pm, Covington Multi)
• Wednesday, 5/30, 4th Grade Instrument Quest (5pm - 7pm, Covington 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 - 11:30am (earlier time was incorrect)

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE

Dear Almond Families:

In approximately a month this school year will close and Almond students will matriculate to their next grade level in August.

For the 2018-19 school year, students will be heterogeneously placed into balanced, grade level homerooms. The staff has received clear guidance regarding the many factors to consider in developing balanced homerooms.  The Almond principal will monitor each and every homeroom list and make all final decisions regarding placement. In this process some of the factors considered are:

• Distribution of students from 2017-18 class into the upcoming year’s class
• Gender count
• Balance of accelerated, typical and struggling learners
• Count of special populations (English Learners, Student w/Disabilties, 504s, etc…)
• Adequate amount of active parent volunteers

We hold a strong, unwavering philosophy that all teachers at Almond school are responsible to meet the needs of all children who enter their classroom.  It is also essential that each child and family be treated with integrity and fairness.

The Almond staff commits to you that we will undergo a thoughtful, deliberate process at crafting balanced classes for the upcoming school year to ensure the learning of ALL children is maximized.

Best regards,
Erika Benadom & The Almond Teaching Staff

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

SAFETY REMINDER
Drivers - as you drive through crosswalks on Almond Ave. or in the drive through, please do not back up into these areas.  Thank you!

LAEF:  Join us for Stand Up for Public Schools Day on May 9th. 
Let’s celebrate the vital partnership of our local public schools and educational foundations.  Help us bridge the gap between state funding and the true cost of providing an outstanding educational experience for our children.  For more information, go to laefonline.org.

LAEF:  Help us raise the final $200K to meet our goal.  
A gift of $50, $100 or even $300 will make a difference! Let's cross the finish line and raise $3.7M to fully fund this school year. Donate now.

LAEF:  Looking for Board Members.
The LAEF Board is responsible for ensuring LAEF's strategic, fundraising and organizational goals. Parent donations to LAEF translate to almost $400,000 for each of our nine district schools, including your school. The LAEF Board includes at least one representative from each LASD school and we strive to include representatives from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.  For more information, contact LAEF atadmin@laefonline.org, 650 559-0445.

STUDENT COUNCIL

• The Go Green Bingo challenge has started! Almond is officially going green by picking up trash, learning about endangered animals, reducing light usage, and holding classes outdoors. Which class will complete the environmental bingo board challenge first?

ALMOND DRAMA PRESENTS - MULAN!

• The Huns have invaded, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous dragon sidekick, Mushu, to save the Emperor! Come see our wonderful Almond actors and actresses bring this exciting tale to life!
• Performances
  • Thursday, May 10th - 4:30 Cantonese Cast and 7:00 Mandarin Cast
  • Friday, May 11th -  4:30 Mandarin Cast and 7:00 Cantonese Cast
  • Saturday, May 12th - 12:30 Cantonese Cast and 3:00 Mandarin Cast
• Tickets $10.00 each
• Purchase your tickets at drop off and pick up starting Thursday, May 3rd
• For more information email Luisa at smithluisa605@gmail.com

REPEATED ANNOUNCEMENTS

ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK

• It’s time to order your copy of the 2017-18 Almond Yearbook!  (Yearbooks were **not** ordered during the Back-to-School Registration, so you need to do it now!)
• There are 2 easy ways to purchase your copy:  (1) Order online and pay by credit card - go to this link:  https://almondpta.squarespace.com/yearbook/order   (2) Fill out a Paper Form and pay by check or cash.  Paper forms will be available in the school office starting next week.
• Yearbooks will be delivered to the classrooms in early June and quantities are limited, so order your Yearbooks now!
• Email Leon with any questions (leonyao.pta@gmail.com)

LASD NURSES:  Pertussis Booster for Students in 6th grade
Students currently in 6th grade must have proof of a Tdap or Dtap (Pertussis or Whooping Cough) booster given after their 7th birthday in order to begin 7th grade in August of 2018. Please provide a copy of your child’s immunization record to your school office as soon as possible!

Egan's VIKING SHOWCASE is coming on Thursday, May 31! Hi Almond Parents. If you are interested to find out what 8th grade will look like for your children, here is a great volunteer opportunity. The Viking Showcase provides the opportunity for Egan's 8th grade students to reflect on their personal and academic growth and to receive acknowledgment for their work.This is accomplished in an interview format. We welcome parents from LASD, community members, and leaders to volunteer as interviewers.The interview process increases student motivation, builds a sense of accomplishment, and fosters community involvement with the school. Past participants have truly enjoyed this invaluable experience. Please save the date and sign up to volunteer at Viking Showcase Volunteer Sign Up. Sign up with a friend! You can note in your sign up that you want to be paired with a specific interviewer. Questions?  Contact Natasha Stirrup at natashastirrup@hotmail.com.

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

• Anya Bhaskaran, 4/25/18, Always making good choices, Respecting self and others. Helped clean up PE equipment!
• Felix Boustead, 4/26/18, Solving problems, Respecting self and others. Felix helped our class by staying calm and gently picking up a lizard in our room and taking it outside.
• Ellie Clark, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Ellie really owned her learning during the ELA PT by taking her time and  planning her essay using a template we practiced in class!
• Jacqueline Cordero, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Jacqueline really owned her learning during the ELA PT by taking her time and planning her essay using a template we practiced in class!
• Ava DePristo, 4/30/18, Respecting self and others. Helping remind others to S.O.A.R.!
• Nina Doerper, 4/25/18, Always making good choices, Respecting self and others. Helped clean up PE equipment!
• Emmanuel Esquivel Pena, 5/2/18, Owning learning. You used reading strategies to solve hard words.
• LuLu Hanna, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Lulu really owned her learning during the ELA PT by taking her time and planning her essay using a template we practiced in class!
• Kavi Jain, 4/30/18, Respecting self and others. Showing respectful listening during music class!
• Milly Jones, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Milly owned her learning by taking notes during the state testing (ELA PT). She wrote out what each question asked for so she would remember to answer all parts!
• Kanishk Kondaka, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Kanishk really owned his learning during the ELA PT by taking his time and planning his essay using a template we practiced in class!
• Olivia Massey, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Olivia really owned her learning during the ELA PT by taking her time and planning her essay using a template we practiced in class!
• Andrew McDowell, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Andrew really owned his learning during the ELA PT by taking his time and planning his essay using a template we practiced in class!
• Dragos Popescu, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Dragos really owned his learning during the ELA PT by taking his time and planning his essay using a template we practiced in class!
• Camille Steciw, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Camille owned her learning by carefully taking notes and planning her essay during all parts of the ELA PT!
• Kimmie Stegina, 4/24/18, Owning learning. Kimmie demonstrates perseverance and determination on a consistent basis, especially with math! :-) Mrs. Better
• Elijah Udoh, 4/30/18, Solving problems, Always making good choices, Respecting self and others. Elijah has been working hard to meet his behavior goal! He faced a particular challenge today with grace.
• Zachary Wang, 4/30/18, Respecting self and others. Zachary helps remind others to S.O.A.R.!
• Sabrina Yen-Ko, 4/26/18, Owning learning. Sabrina really owned her learning during the ELA PT by taking her time and planning her essay using a template we practiced in class!

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 5^th, 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
  • Time for 5K/10K: 9:00 am
  • Fees for 5K/10K: $45 ($50 on race day)
  • Group Registrations of 10 or more: $35 per person
  • Acquire group discount registration code from Sarah at srobustelli@losaltoshills.ca.gov
  • Time for 1-Mile Fun Run: 10:30 am
  • Fees for 1-Mile Fun Run: $30 ($35 on race day)
  • Location: Westwind Community Barn - 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

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.
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