ALMOND THURSDAY WORD
May 11, 2017

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• Thursday, 5/11
  • LASD Spring Concert Gr. 4-6 (12:45pm, Multi)
  • Seussical Performance (4pm, Multi)
  • Seussical Performance (7pm, Multi)
• Friday, 5/12
  • Grades 3 thru 6 CAASPP Testing (CAT Math)
  • 6th Grade Girls Basketball Tournament (3:45pm, Blach)
  • Seussical Performance (4pm, Multi)
  • Seussical Performance (7pm, Multi)
• Saturday, 5/13
  • Seussical Performance (4pm, Multi)
  • Seussical Performance (7pm, Multi)
• Tuesday, 5/16 - State of the School (6pm, Multi)
• Friday, 5/19 - 6th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament (3:45pm, Blach)
• Saturday, 5/20 - Almond Beautification Day (9am-12pm)
• Tuesday, 5/23 - 6th Grade CSTEM Showcase (3:30-5pm, Blach)
• Thursday, 5/25 – Open House (5:30-6 Art Show in Multi, 6-7:00 Classroom Visits, 7:05-7:15 Volunteer Appreciation)
• Friday, 5/26 - Minimum Day (School Ends at 12:15pm)
• Tuesday, 5/30 - Grade 1 thru 3 Spring Music Concert (1pm, Multi)
• Friday, 6/2
  • TK/Kinder Spring Music Concert (11am, Multi)
  • Minimum Day (School Ends at 12:15pm)
• Thursday, 6/8 - Last Day of School (8:30am - 11:30am)

CAASPP stands for CA Assessment for Student Performance & Progress
CAT stands for computer adaptive test.
PT stands for performance task.

SCHOOL MESSAGE

Last week, the Almond PTA spoiled the school staff by showing their appreciation of us through a daily gesture.  THANK YOU!

Today, LASD celebrates a certificated and classified employee of the year for each site.  Those receiving this distinction have been selected by their peers for exemplifying the qualities we hope each member of our organization embodies.

It is my true pleasure to announce and celebrate our honorees at Almond this year; Mrs. Wishnack (certificated employee of the year) and Jane Sanders (classified employee of the year).

Mrs. Wishnack creates a sense of (what I call) “magic” in her classroom.  She turned 158 years old this year, yet still approaches teaching as though she were in the infancy of her career.  She incorporates crafts that students are eager to create.  She is very clear in her expectations of learning and demonstrates abundant patience in allowing students to meet them.  Mrs. Wishnack has a sophisticated sense of humor that takes students a bit of time to appreciate.  She cares deeply for her students and dedicates her own time to supporting them when needed after school.  Mrs. Wishnack is a treasure at Almond School that we consider priceless.

Jane Sanders has a heart of gold.  She is typically the first person to welcome new families to our school.  She fields a variety of needs throughout the day.  Regardless the request, she receives it with a smile and an aim to please.  She takes time to connect with students, their families, and staff.  When in the presence of Jane, it is common to feel that you are the most important person existing at that moment because she gives you her all.  She revels in the beauty of each child and honors their individuality.  Jane Sanders is not just a mother to her own children, she is a caring nurturer to all of us.

Join me in recognizing these two amazing members of the Almond Staff!

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

STUDENT COUNCIL

• Just a few more days to donate to support the homeless.  We have raised over $1,900 so far!  That’s only a couple hundred dollars away from our goal of $2,750.  Continue donating money for Community Housing Partnership’s Learning Academy.  Starting Monday, Safety Patrol will partner with Student Council to ask for any spare change to donate during drop off time.  Every penny counts!
• Friday May 19th is Character Day!  Dress like your favorite character from a book, movie or TV show.  Have fun with it and show your spirit!

LAEF:  Spring Music Concerts Are Coming: May 10^th-19^th

“I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.” ― Plato. LAEF is proud to sponsor LASD Music for grades 4-6. Join us and enjoy classical pieces, folk songs, popular music, and film favorites. Fourth graders will be singing and playing their recorders. Fifth graders will have their 1^st full ensemble performance in the band, orchestra, or chorus. Sixth will have their final performance in the band, orchestra, or chorus. For more information, please go to http://www.losaltos.k12.ca.us/District/Portal/Music.

REQUEST FROM TK
Parents, if any of your children have outgrown Magna Tiles, TK would love to take them off your hands.  Our littlest eagles love building with them. - Thanks, Mrs. Schubert

FROM LASD HEALTH SERVICES

• Medications that have resided in the nurse’s office will be available for pick up from June 8^th 2017 (last day of school) until June 14^th 2017.
• We cannot store medications over the summer. If you are leaving before school ends, please pick up medications early. An adult must pick up the medication.

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - REPEATED

Environmental Stewardship Day on Saturday, May 20 from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

• This will be a community beautification day at Almond School where students, parents, and members of the community will help to maintain our gardens, plant flowers, and clean up the campus in time for Open House! If you have a 6th grade student looking for community service hours, this will also satisfy three hours of volunteer work.
• This is part of Katia Gibson’s (Los Altos High senior and daughter of staff member Martha Gomez) Girl Scout Gold Award project, and everyone is invited. Students must have a parent supervisor to participate. No prior gardening experience is necessary, and we will teach various techniques such as pruning, planting, and mulching our gardens. Tools will be provided, but we would encourage you to bring your own labeled tools if you have them.
• If you or your student would like to participate, please fill out the Google form: goo.gl/5g72Yp
• Questions or concerns, please reach out to katiamariegibson@gmail.com.

Sign up to Volunteer for Egan’s VIKING SHOWCASE at Viking Showcase Volunteer!!

• Egan's VIKING SHOWCASE is coming on Thursday, June 1!   Previously known as Portfolio Day, the Viking Showcase provides the opportunity for our 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 of both 7th and 8th grade students, as well as community members and leaders to volunteer as interviewers.  Learn more at:  http://eganschool.org/egan/6696-PD.html
• Please save the date and sign up to volunteer at Viking Showcase Volunteer.  Confirmation emails will be sent once we have assigned all volunteers.
• Questions?  Contact Lori Bogard Toomre at loribogard@yahoo.com or Natasha Stirrup at natashastirrup@hotmail.com.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 2017-2018

• It's time to order school supplies for next year!  Almond Elementary is now available for ordering online at School-Pak.  Go to https://www.schoolpak.com/catalog/almond-elementary and quickly and easily order school supplies for next year.  Order by June 10th for DISCOUNTED PRICE and FREE school delivery, or order by July 12th for home delivery (shipping charges apply).
• School-Pak is the simple way to shop for school supplies.  You'll enjoy brand name products you know and trust, pre-packaged kits that meet teacher approved lists, and easy payment options.
• Please email Deidre Caldbeck at dhollars@gmail.com if you have any questions.

YEARBOOK

• We hope that everyone had a great Spring Break!!
• If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to order your copy of the 2016-17 Yearbook!  (Yearbooks were *not* ordered during the Back-to-School Registration, so you need to do it now!)
• There are 2 easy ways to reserve 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 are available in the school office.
• Yearbooks will be delivered to the classrooms in early June and quantities are limited, so order your copy now!
• Email Leon with any questions (leonyao.pta@gmail.com)
• Thanks, Fintan McCabe & Leon Yao (Yearbook Committee)

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS-ACTION Required
Please complete a short survey on your experience with the after school programs this year.  I appreciate your feedback so we can make next year even better!

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

• Shanley Davey, 5/5, Solving problems. Owning learning.  Shanley has been owning his learning and making good choices to help him focus.
• Tony Hong, 4/17, Owning learning.  Tony is focused and double checks his work carefully in math.
• Sophia Hu, 4/30, Sophia always treats everyone in our class with kindness.  She is a very helpful young lady.
• Everly Kraska, 5/5, Owning learning.  She jumped 2 levels in reading!  :-)
• Ethan Ling, 5/10, My son Lucas knows Ethan from reading.  Throughout this school year, he has been caring for Lucas as a little brother, and including him as a fun buddy.  I am so grateful for Ethan.  He is such a great model for Lucas, on how to treat younger peers inside the Almond community.
• Maxx Matthai, 5/10, My son Lucas knows Maxx from reading.  Throughout this school year, he has been caring for Lucas as a little brother, and including him as a fun buddy.  I am so grateful for Maxx.  He is such a great model for Lucas, on how to treat younger peers inside the Almond community.
• Sara Pradhan, 4/30, Always making good choices.  Follows directions and is quiet & respectful when the teacher is talking.
• Leonardo Romero Fernandez, 5/5, Owning learning.  
• S