ALMOND THURSDAY WORD
March 2, 2017

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• Friday, 3/3 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Tours (Egan Multi, 9:30am)
• Tuesday, 3/7 - Minimum Day, School Ends at 12:15pm
• Monday, 3/8 - Deadline to Sign Up for STEM Expo
• Thursday, 3/16 - Bookwave Blast (Multi, 6-8pm)
• Thursday, 3/30 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Panel (Egan Library, 7:00pm)
• Friday, 3/31 - Incoming 7th Grade Student Tour & Elective Faire (Egan, 8:30am)
• Monday, 4/3 - STEM Expo School Day Showcase
• Tuesday, 4/4 - STEM Expo Community Night (Multi, 4:30pm - 6:00pm)
• Monday thru Friday, 4/10 to 4/14 - Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)
• Saturday, 4/29 - LASD Junior Olympics (MVHS, 8am - 4pm)

SCHOOL MESSAGE

...from Mrs. Benadom

Last night’s Science Family Night was truly amazing!  There was a forensic fingerprint station, three tables of animal organs and parts, sound makers, laser challenges, bees, bats & other live animals, a Lego building room, and more...it was SO MUCH FUN!

Children were enthralled and running from one spot to another.  Sixth grader volunteers hosted stations with a partner parent.  The excitement in the room was audible and it was the perfect way to end the day.

Science is a field that fosters curiosity, creativity, predictions, overcoming failure, experimentation, risk, the translation of ideas in words so others can understand, modeling, looking into the past, looking inside of things, looking to the future, observing, etc…

At Almond, our goal is to foster thinkers, not acquirers of knowledge and skills.  Tonight was a terrific example of what it looks and sounds like when minds are active and engaged.

Here are a few Tweets that captured the evening.
Mission Impossible, Batty, Photo Collage

Thank you Bronwyn O’Malley, Christi Crosby, and Tara Larson for organizing this remarkable evening.  We are so blessed to have a PTA that sponsors such events.  Thank you also to the many parent volunteers and organizations that set up, served as educators for the evening, and who cleaned up.  YOU are a huge part of what makes Almond a very special place. 

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

IT’S NOT JUST A SCIENCE FAIR, IT’S A STEM EXPO!!!!

• Students in grades TK-6 can all participate in this great event on 4/3 & 4/4.  There are seven categories; Rube Goldberg (physics & engineering), Invention, Environmental Innovation, Engineering (Reverse), Engineering (Robotics), Scientific Inquiry, and Wearable Design.  View this link for additional information about the categories.  View this link for information specific to Almond School.
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• The intent to participate sign ups are due by March 9, 2017 (not 2/28 as indicated on the website.  Click here to register.
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STUDENT COUNCIL

• As many know, Almond has decided to support the cause of homelessness this year. This year’s goal is to raise $2,750! Money can be donated by check, bill, and/or coins. The classrooms have boxes to donate money. Donations will go towards CHP (Community Housing Partnership).
• There were so many awesome crazy hair ideas on February 17th! Even the rain couldn't stop kids from letting their hair really stand out.
• The next spirit day is Twin Day! This day will be taking place March 10th. Kids can have the opportunity to dress alike. Can't wait to see the twins and multiples at our school!
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LASD NURSE
The District Nurses will be conducting Hearing screening at Almond for all Kindergarten, 2nd, 5^th grades on Friday, March 3. If your child has a known hearing loss, please notify the Health Services Staff before the day of the screening. The nurse will mail a referral form and call the parents of students who do not pass the Hearing screening.

PTA Almond Community Service - Planting Vegetables at Hidden Villa!  RSVP Required

• When:  Saturday, March 11, 10-12 pm
• Where:  Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills
• What:  Let’s get dirty, build community and help a wonderful local organization!  Come help Hidden Villa prepare their fields and plant vegetables!  Volunteers are welcome to stay after to hike and see farm animals.  We have reserved a covered area for those who want to stay for a picnic afterwards.  Light snacks will be provided.  Hidden Villa has 11 acres of sustainable, organic agriculture contributing to our local food security. The food they grow is sold at the Los Altos Farmers Market and is available to "shareholders" of the Community Supported Agriculture Program.  They also donate 25% of the annual harvest to our low-income neighbors through the Community Services Agency of Mountain View.  
• RSVP:  Space is limited so please email polly@beau-coup.com to reserve your space and indicate number of people attending.  First come, first served.  
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LASD EdTalk – The LASD Student Math Experience
Wed, March 15, 2017, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PDT
Covington School Multipurpose Room, 205 Covington Road, Los Altos, CA 94024

• Join us for a presentation for parents and community members to learn about the expectations and learning experiences the students of Los Altos School District engage in during math class. The presentation will provide suggestions about how best to support your child in deeply learning mathematics.
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• Presenter: David Foster, Founder and Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative (SVMI) and Co-Director of the Santa Clara Valley Math Project.
• To register: https://edtalklasdmath.eventbrite.com
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PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - REPEATED

REMINDER OF LOST & FOUND PURGE PROTOCOL
Starting with January, we will clear out the Lost & Found at the end of each month to keep it from getting ridiculously full.  Please put your child's name or at least a family name in your children's clothing and we will do our best to return it to you.  Remind your children to look in the Lost & Found regularly.  

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Girl Scout Junior Troop 61025 is Partnering with Kids for Peace
The 4th grade girl scout troop 61025 is working on a community service project along with Kids for Peace. We are collecting the following items to help a new school in a small village in Kenya! We need glue sticks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, pencils, GOOD STRONG pencil sharpeners, markers, kid scissors, gauze, bandaids. We have put a box for the donations inside the Almond Office until Friday, March 10. Any donations will be matched with the money we earned from our cookie sales! We appreciate your help.

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…

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