Summer excitement is in the air!  Almond students are eagerly anticipating special trips, fun camps, sleeping in, a respite from homework, time with moms and dads, and so much more.  While we only have 5 more days after today, we still have 5 more days after today.  As I meander on the playground and support conversations around conflict, I gently remind everyone to be a little bit more forgiving and tolerant of friends and interactions.  The Almond staff would be grateful for your reinforcement of this message at home.  If we all take a few extra deep breaths and assume the best intentions of each other, we will get through the next 5 days with grace and success.  We can do it!!!!

Following are some updates regarding staffing for the 2014-15 school year.

• Mary Alber’s talents are being called to support kindergarten physical education across the district.  We are thrilled to still serve as Mrs. Alber’s home base.
• Kim Halliday will be dedicating extra time to supporting her family and will not return to Almond this fall.  We are grateful for the warmth and love for books that she brought to the Almond library this year and wish her our very best!
• Jenny Eldrige will be joining Almond as a new kindergarten teacher.  Jenny grew up in Menlo Park, attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Irvine.  She comes to us with 7 years of teaching experience.  In her free time she enjoys hiking, playing basketball and much more.  Welcome to our team!
• Candice Marquis will be teaching physical education to our 1st through 6th graders.  Candice comes to us having taught physical education since 2007 at Santa Teresa high school and supported the enrichment of students in grades 2-5 through Campus Kids.  She was awarded the national recognition of “Major of the Year” by the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
• We welcome back Jose Aguilar to our Almond family as our incredible custodian who makes our school look and function great on a daily basis!

Here is the teaching roster for 2014-15.

• Transitional Kindergarten:  Lisa Schubert
• Kindergarten:  Jenny Eldridge, Laurie Lamb, Melissa Powell
• First Grade:  Sarah Hall, Alicia Peterson, Summer Reeves
• Second Grade:  Edana Conlon, Nancy Liu, Jill Williams
• Third Grade:  Tammy Reilly, Joann Martinez, Anna Uhm, Jenny Wishnack
• Fourth Grade:  Lisa Call, Annie Daggett, Melissa Dowling
• Fifth Grade:  Joe Chan, Laura Ohlund, Samantha Nguyen
• Sixth Grade:  Jessica Abraham, Allison Aubrey, Jasen Stuart
• STEM Teacher: Elizabeth Leach
• PE Teacher: Candice Marquis
• ELD Teacher:  Janine Wulfsohn
• RSP Teacher:  Ginny Kalotihos
• Speech Teacher:  Carol Leamon

We are in the process of staffing our kindergarten aide positions and one more noon duty position for next year.  If you’re interested in this opportunity, please let me know.

And, in the event you were wondering…yes, I’ll be your principal next year!  I’ve had several students ask and point out that I’m the 3rd principal they’ve had since they started Almond.  Earlier this year I wrote in one of my Thursday Words about how I truly love what I do.  Not only do I love being A principal, I love being YOUR principal.  I am so incredibly excited about all that we have and will continue to accomplish together.

Please find the results of the Almond School survey for 2013-14 in the email version of the Thursday Word.  We have begun reviewing the data and will be certain to incorporate it as we reflect on how to offer the best educational experience for children.