A conglomeration…today’s principal message contains many parts:

VIVA LAS VEGAS AUCTION/GALA

By now many of you have likely heard that a record dollar amount was raised for Almond School (recent total estimate $122,000).  There are no words capable of expressing my gratitude for the generosity of this amazing community.  Thank you to the committee chairs, Alix Apfelberg and Kirsten Sirey, for the countless hours you dedicated to preparing for this event.  Behind these two amazing women was an army of parent volunteers that helped with decorations, silent auction set up, check in, clean up, and even more.  Thank you for the time and service that you put into this evening.  I’d also like to extend appreciation to the Almond staff for demonstrating commitment to a partnership with our families by showing up in force at the Gala (check out the staff picture on Twitter via the website).

The Fund-a-Need for technology (please watch this 2-minute video to learn about our Almond Utopia) raised a record amount of approximately $27,000 prior to the anonymous donor matching.  Thank you for supporting our school goal of moving technology out of a lab setting and into the classrooms so that these tools can be more readily accessible and woven into daily learning.  We are on our way to realizing our 1:1 (grades 3-6) / 2:1 device goal (grades K-2).  I also offer heartfelt thanks to our anonymous donor for pledging to match up to $50,000 and for extending the deadline for that match to the end of March.  If you are still interested in donating funds to Fund-a-Need, please let us know.

SCIENCE EXPO

            What a success!  Students were able to experience science through a myriad of demonstrations that included finger printing, momentum, sound waves, circuits, balance, infrared technology, engineering feats (in STEM lab), and more.  The ever-popular real organs table garnered interest by those who were eager to touch and feel livers, eyeballs, intestines, etc…  Check out Twitter to see pictures.  This night could not have been possible without the leadership of Cheryl Branson and Yumi Hosaka and their legions of parent volunteers, 6th grade student station leads, and Mrs. Leach.  Once again this was a true testament of what makes Almond remarkable.

TAKING CARE OF OUR SCHOOL – BATHROOMS | DROP OFF & PICK UP TRAFFIC

            Students and parents, Almond needs your help in taking care of OUR school.  At last Friday’s assembly, I began a bathroom campaign to educate our students about their responsibility in keeping our bathrooms clean.  Our custodian is passing through the bathroom three times throughout the day (before school, after recess, after lunch) to tidy up as needed.  While some progress has been made, pictures that I took yesterday show we still have work to do in making our bathrooms ready for a theoretical Presidential visit.  Parents, I’m asking our students if the President of the United States happened to pop in for a visit and had to use our bathrooms, would we be proud or embarrassed?  Let’s work together to have it be the former.  We will be ramping up our campaign by creating posters to post in the bathrooms to remind students to pick up toilet paper from the ground and to press the manual flush button if the automatic sensor doesn’t work.

            Parents, Almond also needs your help in bringing safety and efficiency to our drop off and pick up times.  Please adhere to the following guidelines.  While it is my inherent nature to frame expectations in positive, what-to-do-language, in this case I’m going to get to the heart of the matter and specifically address what choices need to be altered.

• Please arrive early enough to encourage a peaceful experience for your family and all those around you.
• Please do not leave your car parked (even for a minute) in the drive thru lanes. 
• Please pull as far forward as possible before letting your children out of the car.
• Please do not park or block the handicapped parking spaces in the parking lot.
• Please do not let your children out of the car in the non-curb lane of the drive thru.
• Please exhibit patience and tolerance to each member in our community.

FILM FESTIVAL
            The countdown has begun! There are two weeks left to submit videos for the LASD Student Film Festival. The submission window closes on Friday, March 28th. The festival will take place on May 9th from 4-6pm in the Covington multi; we are hoping to showcase many original entries!  Film festival categories include:  educational, music videos, animation/claymation, comedy, story, and class collaboration.  Each category will be judged by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).
            For more information, please visit http://lasdfilmfest.org/home.html . This website includes event information, submission information, rules, frequently asked questions, and a thank you to last year’s sponsors! The submission form is on the website, or can be accessed here.  If you have any questions, please email lasdfilmfestival14@gmail.com.  On behalf of the Film Festival Team (Covington 6th Grade) - Thank you, and have a great week! We’re looking forward to receiving all entries!