ALMOND THURSDAY WORD
September 7, 2017
 

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• Monday, 9/11 - Extended Day begins for TK/K
  • Transitional Kinder, M/T/W/F = 8:45am – 2:45pm, Th = 8:45am - 1:30pm
  • Kindergarten, M/T/W/F = 8:30am – 2:30pm, Th = 8:30am - 1:15pm
• Wednesday, 9/13 - School Site Council (Library @ 3:10pm)
• Monday, 9/18 - Solar Panels in Parking Lot Project Begins
• Wednesday, 9/20 - PTA General Meeting (Multi @ 8:30am)
• Thursday, 9/28 - School Coffee (Multi @ 8:45am)
• Friday, 9/22 - LASD Staff Development Day, No School
• Saturday, 10/14 - Walkathon

SCHOOL MESSAGE

In “Our How’s and Why’s” document shared with you earlier this school year, the following was detailed in one particular section.

Student Feedback
Learners who receive clear guidance regarding their progress know how to focus their efforts going forward.
…
•Multiple Measures - no one assessment will ever tell us everything we need to know about a child, thus we incorporate several to provide a comprehensive picture [of mastery and learning needs].

We will be using the data results from various assessments to inform our design of learning for all children.

• Grades K - 1:  ESGI (Educational Software for Guiding Instruction), An early literacy and math assessment that is administered one to one and recorded digitally.  
• Grades K - 6:  F&P (Fountas & PInnell), A one to one reading assessment during which students read a passage to determine fluency and answer questions to gauge comprehension.  The levels range from A - Z.
• Grades 2 - 6:  iReady ELA / Math, A diagnostic computer adaptive assessment to monitor progress throughout the year.

ESGI and F&P results will be shared at parent conferences in November.

iReady printouts will be sent home with students on Friday, 9/15.  Please note that this first administration of iReady is intended to set a baseline.  It cannot be compared to the end of last year’s results.  In the prior year, your child was at a different grade level and measured on different grade level standards.  Comparing last year to this year is comparing apples to oranges.  The next administration of iReady will be during January.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, or Mrs. Benadom, regarding any questions about how we utilize data to support the design of instruction.

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - NEW

ONLY 60% COMPLETE - PTA BACK TO SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Of 396 families, 238 have completed this process - that’s a 60% completion rate.  This is better than last week, but I still believe we can do way better than this.  Please remember to do your Almond PTA Back to School registration available at THIS link before end of day on 9/20. This is different than the Los Altos School District's InfoSnap registration that you completed.

BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB PTA CHAIR STILL NEEDED
This person works with the school librarian to coordinate the purchase and delivery of grade appropriate books to the students whose parents have opted to participate.  The books are donated to the Almond library on behalf of the child's parents.  Book selection is made by the school librarian.

READER’S WORKSHOP NEEDS YOU!!!
Across LASD our teachers are engaging students in Reader’s Workshop to create an enriching learning experience for children around literacy.  As part of this initiative, LASD purchased books for our classrooms and our library.  Jill Croft, Almond’s Literacy IST, needs some help to get these resources into the hands of kids and teachers.  This is the help needed:

• Level and label books that are on the stage for grades K-3 (any day will work)- requires a quick 10 minute training
• Label books in the library (Friday mornings are best but can arrange for another day if necessary)

If you can lend a hand, please contact Jill directly at jcroft@lasdschools.org.

LAEF:  For EVERY child in EVERY grade in ALL LASD Schools!
Did you know that your donation to LAEF supports STEM, arts, literacy, wellness and personalized learning NOW through June 2018?  Here are some ways elementary students benefit from LAEF this school year: Literacy aides in 1st and 2nd grade, STEM and computer science teachers, Librarians and certified PE instructors, Plus music and art!  Every TK-8^th grade student in LASD will benefit from LAEF-funded programs, and that’s why our goal is 100% parent participation. The suggested donation per student is $1,200 (or $120 per month for 10 months). Every gift in any amount is appreciated. Learn more & make your tax-deductible donation today at www.laefonline.org.

PTA & SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - REPEATED

NOON DUTY @ ALMOND!
We’re currently leveraging the support of our kinder aides on the grade 1 - 6 blacktop at lunch until extended day starts on 9/11.  This has afforded us added grown ups to support the safety of students.  We will be operating on bare bones if we don’t find some able bodies to support supervision at lunch.  I’ve tapped the high school - no luck.  If any of you are able to lend an hour, even once a week, we’d love to have your assistance in supervising lunch activities from 11:55pm to 12:55pm.  Please contact Mrs. Benadom if you’re interested.

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

• Bradley Bocking, 9/1, Owning learning, Doing an excellent job working with his partner during Reader's Workshop.
• Grace Chang, 9/6, Owning learning, Grace tries to solve problems for herself, and when she needs support she seeks help from the teacher and makes sure she has what she needs in order to learn.
• Zoey Chong, 9/6, Solving problems, Picking up classmates' trash.
• Aidan Cuppett, 9/6, Always making good choices, Aidan transitions quietly between classes and works hard, making the most of class time.
• Paul Gao, 8/24, Always making good choices, Respectful learning at the rug.
  Henry Heit, 8/28, Always making good choices, Helping a new student get adjusted to Almond. :)
• Kyle Hiltgen, 8/28, Always making good choices, Respectful learning at the rug.
  Shiori Komatsubara, 8/24, Solving problems, Helping a student who was feeling sad.
• Angel Oregon, 8/23, Respecting self and others, This student shared his preferred reading spot and chair with other students, so that everyone could experience the different learning environment options in class.
• Daisy Sanders, 9/6, Respecting self and others, Always being polite and kind to peers.
• Daniel Sopapunta, 9/1, Owning learning, Focus on rereading to make his voice smoother.
• Hayden Tang, 9/7, Solving problems, Owning learning, Going above and beyond with her classroom job. Hayden is setting the bar high for all "Absent Advocates" in Room 23. <3 Mrs. Better
• Yvonne Tung, 9/1, Owning learning, Always remembers to use good reading habits in Reader's Workshop.
• Zachary Wang, 9/5, Owning learning, Always making good choices, Respecting self and others, Zachary is always ready to learn and listen. He helps others in the class and is respectful!
   

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARENT EDUCATION RE: SPECIAL EDUCATION
The Community Advisory Committee for SELPA 1 (Special Education Local Plan Area) is offering a variety of parent education and support for all learners.  For more information, please visit their website at : http://www.selpa1cac.org/

**Almond Kindergarten Daisy Girl Scout Troop**

• If you daughter in interested in making new friends, exploring the natural world, and having fun, we'd love to have her join our new troop!
• Parent Information Night: Thursday Sept 7th 7-8pm Almond Multi-Purpose Room
• Come learn what scouting is all about! This is an adult-only meeting.
• RSVP: Meredith Hiltgen, Almond Girl Scout School Manager, meredith@hiltgen.com; 408.887.3242, Service Unit 608 / Girl Scouts of Northern CA

AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEND A HAND - Disaster and First Responder Awareness

• When: Sunday, 9/10/2017 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Where: Schultz Cultural Arts Hall
• Bring your family to this special and unique day as we remember 9/11. We will work together on hands-on projects that will be donated to people living in emergency shelters, such as those hit by Hurricane Harvey, and prepare thank you packs for First Responders in our area to show our appreciation for all that they do.
• https://paloaltojcc.org/Events/day-of-remembrance

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…

School & Community News now found via Peachjar:

https://www.peachjar.com/index.php?a=28&b=138&region=53999

Almond Elementary School Website

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