ALMOND THURSDAY WORD
March 1, 2018

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• Saturday, 3/3, *Spring Gala and Auction (6:00-11pm, Computer History Museum)*
• Thursday, 3/8, Bookwave Blast (6:30, Multi)
• Wednesday, 3/21, PTA General Meeting (8:30am, Multi)
• Friday, 3/23
  • School Coffee re: Beyond Academics (8:30am, STEM Lab)
  • International Festival (PM, Multi)
• Monday, 3/26, Books Inc. Book Fair Starts (ends Friday, 3/30)
• Saturday, 3/31, Almond Community Service Event (9:30am, Multi)
• Tuesday, 4/3, STEM Expo (TBD, Multi)
• 4/9 - 4/13, Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
• Wednesday, 4/18, PTA General Meeting (8:30am, Multi)
• Friday, 4/20, School Coffee re: TBD (8:30am, STEM Lab)
• Tuesday, 4/24, Almond Singer Concert (7pm, Multi)
• Saturday, 4/28, LASD Junior Olympics (8am-4pm, Mountain View High)
• Tuesday, 5/8, LASD Gr. 4-6 Music Concert (1pm, Multi)
• 5/14 - 5/18, 6th Graders at Science Camp
• Friday, 5/18, School Coffee re: TBD (8:30am, STEM Lab)
• Wednesday, 5/23, PTA General Meeting (8:30am, Multi)
• Thursday, 5/24, Open House (6pm - 7pm)
• Friday, 5/25, Minimum Day - Dismissal at 12:15pm
• Monday, 5/28, Holiday - NO SCHOOL
• Friday, 6/1, Minimum Day - Dismissal at 12:15pm
• Tuesday, 6/5
  • TK/K CSMA Parent Concert (1pm, Multi)
  • Gr. 1 - 3 CSMA Parent Concert (2pm, Multi)
• Thursday, 6/7
  • Last Day of School
  • Morning Assembly (8:30am, Multi)
  • 6th Grade Promotion (8:45am doors open for seating, 9:00am ceremony begins)
  • Minimum Day Dismissal - 12:15pm

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE

Family Science Night
Thank you Melissa Neal and team.  Thank you PTA. Thank you to the many volunteers who made this night a success.  Check out these Tweets that capture the magic.

• Collage of photos
• Video of bat eating a mealworm
• Creepy crawler on fearless little hands
• No, they’re not having any fun at all...

iReady Reflections
In the past few weeks you’ve likely received, or will be receiving (grades 1-6 only), iReady reports from your child’s homeroom teacher with the results of the 2nd administration of this single assessment.

We are midway through the school year.  There is still more learning to take place.  We will continue to focus on the diverse needs of students and work together as a staff to personalize learning for ALL of our students.  Again, we cannot emphasize enough that this is one single measure upon which we reflect to ensure we are supporting the learning of our students.  Because iReady is only given three times a year, it serves as more of a progress monitoring tool rather than a data source to determine targeted instruction configurations.

At this point in the year, your child’s iReady reports will communicate two scores via a bar chart; Test 2 and Test 1.  It will also provide a breakdown by subject area domain.  On your iReady report, there is a green shaded area that indicates “On Level.”  There is a range in this level that is “Early,” “Mid,” or “Late.”  Anything to the left of the green shaded area is “below” level.  Anything to the right is “above” level.  

If you’ve ever engaged in a conversation with me, you know I despise these types of terms because at times they can be used to label and limit children.  This does not contribute to a growth mindset.  Our children are multidimensional and their essence cannot be distilled down to any single score.  As an Almond teaching staff we have worked tirelessly to be very mindful of the language we use in describing a child’s learning needs.

We would like to share some of the results that we have noted through our recent analysis.

iReady Reading

• 422 students in grades 1-6 had a T1 and T2 score
• In August (T1), 65% of students performed at or above their grade level designation
• During January (T2), the percentage students performing at or above their grade level designation increased to 76%
• 340 students demonstrated a gain in their diagnostic scaled score from T1 to T2
• For T2, 54% of students at Almond are performing in the 4th quartile, as gleaned from the percentile scores which are a national indicator.  Please see this diagram for a depiction via traditional bell curves and our performance.

iReady Math

• 422 students in grades 1-6 had a T1 and T2 score
• In August (T1), 63% of students performed at or above their grade level designation
• During January (T2), the percentage students performing at or above their grade level designation increased to 76%
• 354 students demonstrated a gain in their diagnostic scaled score from T1 to T2
• For T2, 55% of students at Almond are performing in the 4th quartile, as gleaned from the percentile scores which are a national indicator.  Please see this diagram for a depiction via traditional bell curves and our performance.

As noted in the data above, many students experienced an increase of score between the two administrations.  There were however students whose scale score went down.  We ask you to consider three things when reflecting on this information:  1) There is a standard of error of approximately (+/-) 10-15 points.  2) This is one single measure taken on one particular day or series of days.  3) We are looking at each and every students’ results and following up on how to further support growth with specific actions from the education team at Almond.  

If you have any specific questions regarding your child’s iReady reading results, please address those directly to your child’s homeroom teacher.

In closing, please note the following regarding Correlation Analysis & Reflections of iReady Math and CAASPP:

• ONE of the many sources of pride for the Los Altos School District is the high achievement of our students.  These accomplishments manifest in a great many ways.  Such as the contributions of our young people in the greater world around them, the higher education that they pursue, and the careers into which they become leaders as adults.  
• One of those measures of high achievement also includes the statewide assessment known as the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).  Because we know some of you will look at the iReady and draw correlations to how your child “might” perform on the CAASPP, we would like to directly address this as a staff.
• We have found a close correlation in all levels for reading. However in math, we have found some nuances.  Please read the following bullets for additional information.
  • As we looked at iReady Spring results alongside CAASPP Spring results in math, we found these correlations:  There was a strong correlation between the iReady relative labels of “2 or more below” and the CAASPP label of “Standards Not Met.”  We also found a strong correlation between the iReady “1 level below” and the CAASPP “Standard Nearly Met.”  We found that when a student achieves at the “early” or “mid” grade level designation within their age appropriate placement, the CAASPP result was typically “Standard Met.”
  • We found a significant discrepancy between the iReady “Above” and the CAASPP “Standard Exceeded.”  We attribute this to the difference in the two subject matters and the depth and complexity of math.  While iReady Math performance may report a child within the “On Level” zone and list the progress as “Late” in the Placement column, this typically translates to “Standard Exceeds” on the CAASPP.  In other words, if you perceive that your child typically performs at a high level in math and when you look at the report he/she has a scale score bar that is falling within the “On Level” area and not reaching to the far right of that as you expected, please don’t panic.  If your child is making progress and the trajectory is headed towards them reaching into the far end of the green, where they would be considered “Late,” our analysis points to a strong correlation that their CAASSP score will most likely be “Standard Exceeded.”

We share all of this with you so that when you receive your child’s iReady results, you may consider this information within a reasonable context.  We will continue to focus on the diverse needs of students and work together as a staff to personalize learning for ALL of our students.

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

BOOKWAVE BLAST

• All Almond Families, please RSVP at http://evite.me/u8KhHktCHA your attendance for Bookwave Blast taking place on Thursday, March 8th from 6:30pm to 8pm so we can adequately set up, prepare refreshments and prizes.
• We will be showcasing all the books written by our students at 6:30pm while refreshments are served, and our featured speaker Jennifer Rahardjanoto will begin her presentation promptly at 7pm. Bookwave Blast is an event open to all Almond families! We hope you can make it :)
• Jenn Rahardjanoto is a visionary who's inspired by the power of design to tell stories. She's lived in many different parts of the world and graduated with Honors from Art Center College of Design. She's well known in the children's entertainment world as one of the best creative mind behind a kid's brands. She is currently the Chief Creative Officer at GoldieBlox inc. Prior to that, she worked as the Marketing Creative Director at Playstudios, Story Art Director at Mattel Playground Production, and designer in entertainment production world in Los Angeles.  
• Because of Jen's connection to Mattel and her current role at GoldieBlox, there will be raffles and drawings with fun prizes (may I say TOYS!!). It will be an inspirational and FUN evening for sure!
• We truly would appreciate help with set up/take down for Bookwave Blast, PLEASE contact Lily at lily@alexwang.com if you can lend a hand any time between 5-8pm on 3/8/18! Truly appreciate all your support!!!

REGISTER FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL STEM EXPO

• The 4^th Annual STEM Expo is coming on April 3^rd! The STEM Expo participation is open to any student in grades K-6 and this year, there is a new category to consider. This year, STEM Expo includes the category of Coding/Programming and students must create their own original coding project. STEM Expo allows students to work with other students from different grade levels and families can work together on a project. If your child is interested in participating, please go to THIS website to complete the “Intent to Participate”.
• Also, Mrs. Leach is looking for volunteers to help with the set-up of the Expo, as well as parents that are will interview students about their projects. Please go to THIS website to check out volunteer opportunities to help promote science learning at Almond School.
• If you have additional questions about STEM Expo after visiting THIS website, please feel free to contact Mrs. Leach at eleach@lasdschools.org.

STUDENT COUNCIL 
We are going to give you a few hints about our next Spirit Day…. 1. It is not the SAME as other days. 2. It is a GROUP Spirit Day. 3. The fun will MULTIPLY with all your fellow Almond Eagles. HMMM, what could it be….stayed tuned to learn more next week!  

LAEF:  We Need Your Input by March 9th!

• Look for an LAEF Survey invitation in your email the week of February 26th and take this opportunity to share your feedback about LAEF-funded programs this school year. LAEF funds teachers and program staff supporting STEM, arts, literacy, wellness, and personalized learning. Your input will help our board of 16 volunteers, and LASD leadership determine the foundation's funding priorities for the 2018-19 school year. Thank you for your participation.
• Donate to LAEF today and help us raise an additional $700K to reach our goal of $3.7M by April 27th. Gifts of any amount are appreciated. Learn more & make your tax-deductible donation today at www.laefonline.org.

Books Inc. Book Fair Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars - The Books Inc. Book Fair begins Monday, March 26 and runs until Friday March 30. We need volunteers to help make this event successful. Sign up sheet will be available shortly.

Community Services Event: Help Us Make Comfort Bags for Foster Children

• The Community Services Committee is excited to be working with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, a wonderful organization that has been helping foster children who have experienced abuse and neglect since 1986, for its next drive/event.  Working with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, we have identified a project that will surely make a difference in the lives of the foster children in their program. We are collecting items that will go into making Comfort Bags for kids from ages 5 to 10 years of age.) Our goal is to fill 50 to 100 Comfort Bags (each bag will include a stuffed toy, a book, a developmental game, underwear, toiletries (toothbrush and toothpaste, and socks - all packaged in a pillow case with a personalized note).
• To make this happen we are reaching out to the Almond Community to help - there are three ways: 1) Sign up to donate an item (or more!) – Sign up to donate any of the items on THIS google document (Please consider signing up for more than one line item) 2) Sign up to Make a Complete Comfort Bag for a specific child - Please sign up for a specific child on THIS document and bring a filled bag (pillowcase) for him/her.  3) Paypal Cash - If you would prefer to donate cash and have us shop we are happy to do that - please paypal your cash donation to Seema at bhimsee@yahoo.com.
• Save the Date:  On Saturday, March 31st, from 9:30am to 10:30am, we will have Karen Scussel (Executive Director of Child Advocates) come to Almond to speak to our families about the work they do to support foster children. The kids will assemble Comfort Bags at the event.  Please email Seema Chavan (bhimsee@yahoo.com) or Polly Liu (polly@beau-coup.com if you have any questions.

REPEATED ANNOUNCEMENTS

LASD HEALTH SERVICES
The District Nurses will be doing Hearing screening at Almond for all Kindergarten, 2nd, 5^th grades on 3/7/18. If your child has a known hearing loss, please notify the Health Services Staff (nurses@lasdschools.org) 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.

5th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION - SEARCHING FOR PERFORMERS!

• We are pleased to announce the 4th Annual International Celebration slated for Friday, March 23rd. The event brings together Almond families for a fun, casual evening while celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of our school community. All families bring a favorite "international (or favorite)" dish to share (appetizer, entrée, or dessert) and catch up with friends (or make new ones!) and are able to watch various ethnic dance and music performances including appearances by our own Almond School students and alumni. In addition, families are encouraged to come dressed in ethnic wear (anything that you identify with your heritage is fine!).
• How can you help:
  • 1) Sign up if your child or you would like to share a performance specific to a heritage.  If your child participates in local classes bring the troupe or if a solo performer or if your child just loves to perform - let us know! The evening is a perfect opportunity for kids to perform in a welcoming environment.
  • 2) Have any suggestions for a local dance or performance group - please send us the information.
  • 3) Interested in helping with the planning and execution - we definitely would love to grow the group.
• We hope you and your family can join us at the International Celebration! More details to follow. For information or to signup to perform - please contact Lori Sevcik (loriandshea@me.com) and Seema Chavan (bhimsee@yahoo.com).

ATTENTION 4th • 5th • 6th GRADERS - THE 58TH LASD JUNIOR OLYMPICS IS COMING!

• Saturday, April 28, 2017 /  8am-4pm  /  Mountain View High School
• The LASD Junior Olympics Committee has already been working hard to make Junior Olympics 2018 a day to remember.  Please mark your calendars for Saturday, April 28th for a fun-filled day at Mountain View High School.  It will begin with the 1320 yd run at 8:00am, followed by opening ceremonies at 9 am.  From about 9:30-1:30 will be most of the track and field events.  (listed below).  You won't want to miss the very popular Mascot Mania which takes place around 1:30pm.  The day ends at roughly 3:45 with the dash finals, hurdle finals and the relay races.  Bring the whole family but please leave your pets at home.  There will be lunch, snacks and drinks for sale AND plenty of opportunities for you to volunteer your time to make this day extra special for your child!
• General Information
  • Every 4th, 5th and 6th grader in Los Altos School District is invited to participate in the 57th Annual Junior Olympics! This event brings together the seven LASD elementary schools for a friendly track & field competition, in which everyone is encouraged to strive for their personal best and cheer on their classmates as they compete. More information and important Junior Olympics dates available atlasdjo.com.
  • Save the dates!
  • We Need Your Help Training our Young Athletes! Click 2018 Almond JO PE Training Volunteers to sign up.  

EARLY MAN MOVIE FUNDRAISER: AVAILABLE THROUGH MARCH 31

•  The 6th graders are fundraising with a Filmraiser to the movie EARLY MAN. The 6th graders will earn $1.00 for the North Bay Fire Victims from every ticket purchased for shows in February and March, 2018 when you click this link.
• TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
• Click this link and $1.00 from every ticket to EARLY MAN bought during February and March supports Almond Elementary School's 6th Grade North Bay Fire Victims fundraising.
• PLEASE NOTE: There will be no mention of our cause past this link. The custom link tracks our sales, but Fandango does not host any information about the schools or causes that FilmRaiser supports.
• If you would like to post or share the ticket link with friends and family throughout the US that benefits Almond Elementary School 6th Grade, please use: https://www.fandango.com/early-man-200804/movie-overview?a=13034&cmp=13034:early001004
• Thanks in advance for your support! Almond 6th Graders

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series

• Please join us for an evening with Dr. Leonard Sax
• Boys Adrift:  Raising Authentic Boys Engaged in School and Life
• Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2018 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | LAHS Eagle Theater |201 Almond Avenue, Los Altos, CA
• From kindergarten to college, American boys are less resilient and engaged than they were two decades ago and the gender gap in academic achievement continues to widen.  Drawing upon 26 years of clinical experience and scientific research, Dr. Sax will explore how social, cultural, and biological factors have created an environment that impedes the healthy development of many boys today.  Dr. Sax will share concrete strategies to help us as parents connect more deeply with our sons and guide our boys to stay engaged - and grow into productive, self-reliant, authentic young men.
  • Topics include:
    • How much time spent playing video games is too much time, and how do we know?
    • Which video games are OK, and which are not, and how do we know?
    • What has caused the dramatic drop in the testosterone levels of young men over the past 60 years? Why does it matter?
    • What research has been conducted regarding the effect of medications for ADHD on the developing brain?
• Dr. Sax is internationally recognized for his four parenting books, Why Gender Matters (2nd Ed., 2017), Boys Adrift (2^nd Ed., 2016), Girls on the Edge (2010), and The Collapse of Parenting (2015) – a New York Times best-seller and has appeared on the TODAY show, PBS, NPR, CNN, Fox News, and the BBC, and many other national and international media.

To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2017-2018-leonardsax.eventbrite.com

Sponsored by Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), MVLA High School Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF), and Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.

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

• Tilly Burgart, 2/27/18, Solving problems, Respecting self and others. Tilly quickly apologized when she knocked a younger student over by accident, and asked if they were okay.
• Jaiman Chavan, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Jeff Chen, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Logan Chung, 2/27/18, Solving problems. You worked together with your classmates to solve a tricky problem on the playground.
• Connor Daniel, 2/26/18, Respecting self and others. Connor was a very respectful listener during music class!
• Nirelle De Witt, 2/27/18, Solving problems. You worked together with your classmates to solve a tricky problem on the playground.
• Emma Guillory, 2/27/18, Solving problems. You worked together with your classmates to solve a tricky problem on the playground.
• Cooper Han, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Jagger Heath, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Kate Kostow, 2/27/18, Solving problems. You worked together with your classmates to solve a tricky problem on the playground.
• Tommy Lee, 2/27/18, Solving problems. You worked together with your classmates to solve a tricky problem on the playground.
• Nicky Miqueo, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Risei Mizutani, 2/27/18, Always making good choices. Risei showed integrity by taking responsibility for his actions.
• Nikolay Okinchuk, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Avery Plaisir, 2/27/18, Solving problems, Respecting self and others. Calmly asked another student to make a better choice and gave them a suggestion for a better choice.
• Cole Renz, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Konstantin Rolnik, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• David Santiago Ramos, 2/27/18, Owning learning. Showed enthusiasm for learning by finding similes in his own book.
• Fisher Sirey, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Alex Sokulev, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Elliott Song, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom
• Aiko Yamasaki, 2/17/18, Solving problems, Always making good choices, Respecting self and others. Always checks in with Ms. Doblick and others by asking how their day is going, which makes her day.
• Ciel Yasukawa, 2/28/18, Respecting self and others. Great sportsmanship! Mrs. Benadom

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.
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