Dear Almond Families:

Last Tuesday night, our K-6 students shared their best scientific thinking at our annual STEM Expo. Every year, this event lends itself to a variety of learning experiences for students, in class or at home, working individually or collaboratively with their peers or with adults amongst a wide range of STEM categories. Tuesday night was their opportunity to showcase their passion projects. A HUGE thank you to Ricky Hu, our STEM Coach, for coordinating this awesome event. And thank you to LAEF for supporting the STEM program. Please see below for some pictures from that night!

Tonight, please join us for the 6th grade Celebration of Learning, where students will share all of the learning that has taken place over the last trimester. The festivities begin at 6 pm in the multi. See you there!

Just a reminder that we will all be enjoying the beautiful sunshine for Spring Break next week, April 15-19. Classes will resume on Monday, April 22.

Here’s to soaking in more of that Vitamin D!

Raquel

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Project Cornerstone/ABC Reading

This month’s ABC book, One, by Kathryn Otoshi, is a colorful story of acceptance and tolerance that tells the tale of how just one voice can make a difference. According to Otoshi, “Many times we think, ‘I'm so small. What can I do?’ But we do have an effect! It's about changing thinking. When one person stands up for something, it might be just enough to tip the next person over and inspire him or her to also stand up.”

One helps students recognize that they have the power to effectively respond to bucket-dipping behaviors. The key messages are “Everyone counts,” and “It just takes ONE to make a difference.”

Students have also been discussing the difference between passive bystanders and proactive UPstanders. Bystanders can become UPstanders by saying or doing something to support targets of bucket dipping. UPstanders know that it just takes ONE to make a difference. UPstanders take action to influence others to stop hurtful behavior.

• Here are some ways that we all can be UPstanders at home and in our communities:
• - Refuse to join in with bucket-dipping behaviors.
• - Use positive peer influence to help friends “do the right thing."
• - Say or do something when someone needs help. (Just standing near someone will make him/her feel better!)
• - Help all kids join the fun. Invite someone new to play!
• - Use the ability to read body language to de-escalate conflict and keep things calm.

We hope you will invite your child to share about One and what they learned in their lesson. Help reinforce the positive messages at home:

• - Talk about ways that each family member counts!
• - Practice with your child ways to de-escalate emotionally charged conversations using a calm tone of voice, positive words, and comforting body language.
• - Remind your child that you think they are ONE great kid!

If you have any questions about Project Cornerstone or the ABC Reading program, contact Sue Jones (tiramisujones@gmail.com),

Lily Wang (lily@alexwang.com) or Katie Liniger (kathryn_liniger@yahoo.com)

Parent Ed Opportunities

Parenting in the Age of Technology. Come join My Digital TAT2 for a highly engaging and informative presentation on Tuesday, April 23rd from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Covington Elementary School multi-purpose . Recommended for anyone interested in an overview of the digital landscape and learning about thoughtful ways to navigate media with your children. You will come away with strategies that support both you and your child. It is an event you will not want to miss! For more information about My Digital TAT2, please visit: www.mydigitaltat2.org. We are expecting a big turnout for this event, so please RSVP by clicking here.

MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series: LIKE: A documentary about the impact of social media on our lives. Learn how to promote the use of self-regulation as a strategy to manage the negative impacts of technology, while benefiting from the positive ones. There will be two screenings on Tuesday, 4/30 at 6pm and 7:30pm at LAHS. To register, click here.

LAEF

One week until Junior Olympics!

We still need to raise $110K

If 12 families at each school donated, we could reach our goal of $3.5M!

Will you be one of the 12 and donate by April 26th?

A gift of $50, $100 or even $300 will make a difference this school year

Let's keep our neighborhood schools strong by fully funding teachers and staff for STEM, Wellness, Literacy, and Arts

LASD Junior Olympics - Coming on April 27th!

Mark your calendars! Junior Olympics training is now underway for the 4th, 5th and 6th grade classes. Please remember to have your student wear appropriate athletic clothes and shoes for PE days. All students must have a signed permission slip to participate in the event. Please fill out this online form, whether your child will be participating or not: JUNIOR OLYMPICS PERMISSION SLIP. For more details on Junior Olympics, check out this information sheet: LASD JO INFO SHEET or contact the Almond JO chairs: Alix Apfelberg (alix_apfelberg@yahoo.com), Vicky Lee vicster_chin@yahoo.com) and Kirsten Sirey (ksirey@yahoo.com)

Art Docents Event

The Art Docents are hosting a spring recruiting event including a fun art project. We would love to see you there and gauge your interest in joining us in bringing art lessons to our students!

Art du Jour

May 3rd from 10-12

iLearn Studio at LASD

201 Covington Road, Los Altos

Rsvp by May 2nd to ehongchin@gmail.com

From the Health Services Department

When to Keep Your Child Home From School:

Sometimes it is difficult, especially early in the morning, to know whether or not to send your child to school. The following guidelines are indications that you should keep him/her home. By doing so, you are helping to control the spread of colds, flu, and other contagious illnesses.

Keep your child at home when he/she has any of the following symptoms:

• ● Fever of 99.6 or higher
• ● Chills
• ● Vomiting, diarrhea or nausea
• ● Sore throat or trouble swallowing.
• ● Coughing, sneezing, and/or runny nose
• ● Rash or unusual sores or spots
• ● Headache
• ● Generalized muscle aches and pains
• ● Wheezing or trouble breathing
• ● Unusually red, crusted or burning eyes (Pink eye)
• ● Head Lice

You need to keep your child home until he/she has been symptom-free without medication for 24 hours. Also, NOTIFY THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY if your child is exposed to or contracts chickenpox, mumps or measles or whooping cough (pertussis). These conditions can be life-threatening to students who are undergoing therapies that suppress their immune systems. This is only a guide to common childhood health concerns.

Call our District Nurses (650-444-9702 or 650-537-8119) or your personal health care provider for more information. Always bring a copy of a physician’s note to school and/or notify the school if your child will have an extended absence due to a health condition for 10 days or longer.

From the Office

You may have noticed a colorful display of jackets and sweaters lining our front fence. Please take a look to see if you can find your student's belongings before tomorrow. We will be donating the remainders at the end of the day.

Have a wonderful Spring Break! We hope you all return well-rested and ready for the final few weeks of school. We're looking forward to seeing you all on April 22!