Parents - It was terrific to see so many of you at Back to School Night!!!

Almond Staff - You SOARed and were remarkable as always!!!

Here is the presentation from the school wide address in the multi.  

Before I get on my metaphorical soap box (in forthcoming paragraphs), I would like to extend a tremendous thank you to both LAEF and the Almond PTA  for their incredible financial support that enables us to offer an unparalleled program to our students in Los Altos.

...

Okay, I warned you.  Soap box speech starting.

Your children are OUR students.  We want the same thing.  We want ALL of them to be challenged and to be supported in their learning.  The Almond staff is working as a cohesive, unified team to accomplish this.  Students are being regrouped for language arts in and across grade levels.  When this happens, a grade level teacher is NO LONGER teaching a particular grade level.  Did you hear that?  They RELINQUISH their grade level status and are simply teaching a group of students with similar learning needs for a specified amount of time.  Students will be flexibly regrouped throughout the year.

Let me give you a concrete example.  The 5th and 6th grade homeroom teachers are working TOGETHER to meet the needs of all 172 students in these two grade levels in the area of language arts.  Now there are 6 teachers available to support these learners.  EVERY SINGLE regrouping combination contains BOTH 5th and 6th grade level learners.  EVERY SINGLE GROUP.  The teacher supporting instruction in any of these 6 groups is NOT teaching 5th or 6th grade, they are teaching STUDENTS...not grade levels.

For some, this goes against the way you learned.  Your own experience in schools.  

We can either perpetuate a failing past or forge a path towards an innovative future. Here is a video that paints a picture of what is possible and where we are headed as a district. This forward thinking approach may make you uncomfortable.  It might be disruptive to your existing paradigm.

Please hear me clearly.  This IS how we are supporting our learners at Almond and in LASD because we have made the following promises to OUR students and each other.  This IS what is best for our children.

1. Put the needs of students first

2. Make students feel safe & welcome.

3. Think school-wide.  We are Almond teachers, not teachers of certain grades or classes.

4. Collaborate by sharing ideas & resources to best support each other.

5. Use instructional strategies to work towards personalized learning goals.

6. Assess regularly with common assessments and use the data to help drive student learning.

7. Stay positive, professional, and respectful.

8. Have a growth mindset by being flexible & learning together.

9. Challenge ALL students.

The Almond staff is the most talented and capable staff I have ever known and has an unwavering commitment to ensure ALL children learn at high levels.  It is my true honor to be a part of this group of professional educators.

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

What’s new with LAEF this year? Check out Eric’s Video!

• Check out this new student-created video "LAEF 2016-17: Are You IN?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhs5w7deE0I to learn what’s new at LAEF this year and how the programs we fund enrich every school day for your child.

• Donate now to help LAEF pay for teachers and program staff for STEM, PE, libraries, art, music, and computer science, in addition to smaller class sizes in grades K-3 and 7-8, more junior high electives and a new Instructional Support Teacher (IST) focusing on 6th-8th grade math.

• Our goal is $3.7 million and 100% participation from all of our LASD families. The suggested annual donation is $1,200 per student or $120/student per month. Every gift in any amount is appreciated. To donate now, make your pledge or to learn more, please go to LAEFOnline.org. Thank you!

• Follow #laefonline on Facebook and Twitter

Afterschool program UPDATE

• There are many new programs on offer since last you looked as well as new days for old favorites.

• NEW TO ALMOND: sign up for Karate, Ukelele, Guitar, SkateWorks, DezignKidz accessories and a new Drawing program.

• MANY OLD FAVORITES HAVE NEW DAYS: Find Mathletes on Monday, Tennis for G3-6 on Tuesday, TechKids on Thursday and Wizbots now on Friday

• Sign up is easy : http://www.almondschool.org/Almondes/5712-After-School.html

• See the week at a view calendar linked to the Fall Session and then register using Activity Hero.

• For any questions please