Click here to read the district's responses to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report, Show Me the Money: School Parcel Tax Exemptions for Seniors and Homeowners with Disabilities. A copy of the complete report is also attached.
Board Passes Resolution to Support ALL Students in LASD
Visiting various schools in LASD each week, I am consistently impressed by the work of our students. We have a broad range of students in our schools: a broad range of interests, a broad range of talents, and a broad range of abilities in many areas…but there is more. I also take great pride in the fact we have a broad range of races, cultures and religions represented in our students and in our families. This diversity is our strength as a school district and as a community. It is a powerful attribute that enriches our students’ learning each and every day.
Recent events in national politics have caused a greater level of anxiety, with increased consternation about how policy changes – both rumored and real – may impact our district families. I write this to assure you that the values and practices in LASD are unchanged. The schools in our district are safe places for our students and families. Every student is welcome on our campuses. The Los Altos School District enrolls all eligible students regardless of citizenship or immigration status and works to provide each the highest quality education. It is our passion. Additionally, we respect the personal privacy of each family we serve. We do not release confidential or personally identifiable information about our students or their families to any third party, a policy supported by state and federal law.
California State Superintendent Tom Torlakson has stated the California Department of Education will continue to abide by laws that protect student rights and records. He recently said, “Our schools are not and will not become an arm of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Instead, they will remain safe places for learning and teaching for all students, regardless of immigration status.
Los Altos School District shares this commitment. On February 13, our board of trustees voted unanimously to support this core belief with a resolution reaffirming Los Altos School District’s commitment to ALL students’ rights to a public education. This action is meant not only to reassure all district families that we will continue to protect their privacy, but to allow us to maintain the kind of emotionally safe environment we need in order to fulfill our mission as educators. We pledge not only to protect personal information but to do our absolute best to ensure that all children and families in our district are treated with respect, dignity and given every opportunity to succeed.
Please feel free to visit with your child’s teacher, your principal, a board member, or me if we can answer any questions or help in any way.
- Superintendent Jeffrey Baier
For third straight year, Young Cultural Ambassadors program builds multicultural understanding and appreciation
SAN JOSE, CA – Two elementary schools in Santa Clara County will host a delegation of students, parents, and educators from China as part of an exchange program created by the Multilingual Education Services Team of the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) and the Chinese Society of Education.
Now in its third year, the Young Cultural Ambassador Program will consist of 130 students, plus about 50 parents and teachers who will visit two different county elementary schools in the next two weeks. Students will have classes together, eat together in the cafeteria, and play together during recess to gain a better mutual understanding of their various cultures.
On Jan. 24, a delegation will visit Santa Rita Elementary School in the Los Altos School District. The visit will begin at 8 a.m. and last until 2:45 p.m. The visit will culminate with a Chinese cultural performance beginning at 12:50 p.m.
On Feb. 3, another group will visit Katherine R. Smith Elementary School in the Evergreen School District, where they will tour the 21stCentury Classroom at Katherine Smith between 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
“It has been a great joy to witness the excitement, pride, and amusement of the young cultural ambassadors from China and the students in San Jose,” said Dr. Yee Wan, Director of Multilingual Educational Services for the SCCOE. “Hearing the students from San Jose wanting to visit another country and to learn another language reinforces our purpose of promoting global education and 21stcentury skills.”
New Program Launched to Help Teachers Find Local Housing
Our community values our high quality, dedicated teachers. However given the high cost of local housing, many of our teachers are struggling to find nearby affordable accommodations and are unable to live as part of our neighborhood community.
Los Altos School District and Los Altos Community Foundation have partnered to create a bulletin board that will connect Los Altos School District teachers with local residents who have available housing to rent. If you have an available room, suite, in-law unit, apartment, etc. that you would like rent out to a teacher, please let us know.
To indicate your interest, please fill out the online form at http://tinyurl.com/lasdhousing or contact Erin Green, LASD Director of Student and Staff Services at egreen@lasdschools.org or (650) 947-1150.
The Court in the Morgan Hill Concerned Parents Association v. California Department of Education (CDE) has updated its ruling on the release of student data. All student data will remain with the CDE and the CDE will assist the plantiffs' attorneys seeking evidence from the student database.
Additional information on this case and the Objection to Disclosure of Student Information and Records is available on the CDE's website: www.cde.ca.gov/morganhillcase. The Court must receive the objection form no later than April 1, 2016.
Medications will be available for pick up from June 10th 2015 (last day of school) to June 16th 2015.
We cannot store medications over the summer. If you are leaving before school ends, please pick up medications early. An Adult must pick up medication.
They’re coming... the 2015 Blach yearbooks will be arriving on campus soon and will be distributed on Thursday, June 4th. If you did not pre-order a yearbook, there's still an opportunity to purchase one! There will be a limited number of books available for sale starting June 4th after school, first come- first served. Bring $45 cash or check made out to Blach School. See Mrs. Hickman in room D-2 with any questions.
Good Morning 8th Graders!
The 8th Grade Party is THIS Friday!
What are you going to wear?
Guys; a collared shirt and nice shorts or pants would be a good choice.
Girls; a dress, skirt that you can move in will be perfect for the party!
There will be a coat check there if you decide you want to stash your shoes or phone somewhere safe.
There will be games, free food, prizes and so much more!
The Party is in the Blach Multi from 7 - 10 pm.
Today is THE GARBAGE BAG FASHION SHOW and it is PJ Day. All participants should have their costumes ready by lunchtime. One person from each homeroom will be the “presenter” while the other wears the costume. Heads up: tomorrow is Formal Day.
The School Supply Drive was an amazing success! We have collected boxes and boxes of supplies that will soon be shipped to Africa. It was a close competition between several homerooms, but the winning homeroom is Mrs. Honigman's class. Thanks again to all the teachers and students that made this possible.
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BREAKING NEWS for the fashion show
You can also use the little white trash bag (that the 2 bigger ones came in) for the
costume. Any type of tape can be used but not staples. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
CLUBS TODAY:
IN SPORTS NEWS:
Hey 8th Graders: Have you signed up to go to the 8th Grade Graduation Party?
The Party is Friday May 29 here in the Blach Multi from 7 - 10 pm
You need to bring the form that was emailed to your parents this week and check to the office.
There will be fun food, games, dancing and a very special attraction you will NOT want to miss.
Sigh Up to go today!
8th Graders: Don’t forget to get your Raging Waters Form in!
To all 2nd period concert percussion, 4th period and 7th grade strings students. Please meet Mr. Lewis in the band room during lunch to double check the percussion bags. This is very important meeting before we put them on the bus for the Anaheim trip.
If you like ice cream, listen up! Mr. Maye’s third period class is hosting a school-wide school supply drive for the organization Develop Africa. We need your help! Now is your chance to give back and help kids your age who are less fortunate than you. If you have new or gently used school supplies, bring them into your homeroom class during the week of May 18-22. The homeroom that collects the most school supplies will win an ice cream party!
All chorus students meet in the chorus room at lunchtime for practice. Eat lunch after practice.
CLUBS TODAY:
Only three weeks left in the Blach Club Site! We have changed it to 3 winners, but each get $10 instead of $5 to House of Bagels! It's quick and easy, and all you have to do is sign up for the site - easy! Sign up now! Go to the Blach site and click on the Clubs button on the site. Good luck!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
IN SPORTS NEWS:
It was another great day of competition by our track and field team yesterday. Many of them again scored personal bests as well as qualified for the County meet next Tuesday. Congratulations to all these who placed in the top six and qualified: 7th grade girls: Stephanie E., Nicole G., Nicole X., Mady K., and the 4x100 relay team who were league champions! 7th grade boys: Eric J., Luca M., Jonah C., Mateo G., Kirby G., Ilan K, and Jake S (who was also the long jump champion) 8th grade girls: Chloe C., Amber F., Maddy H., Ally H., Ilona S., Katherine S., Julia D., Aya K. and both the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams 8th grade boys: Nick S. and Kieran D.
All county track participants need to be at practice next Monday and also see Mrs. Koren or Mr. Kane today for the County schedule.
Students currently in 6th grade must have proof of a Tdap or Dtap (Pertussis or Whooping Cough) booster given after their 7th birthday (after 10th birthday is recommended) in order to begin 7th grade in August of 2015. Please provide a copy of your child's immunization record to your current school office as soon as possible.
For more information, please visit our Health Services page on immunizations.
Breaking news about movie night on Friday. As you know this is YOUR chance to make a difference since the proceeds go to charity. We will begin the big event at 6:30 pm rather than 7 because of the length of the movies. The BBQ menu will include nachos and cheese, bacon wrapped and regular hot dogs, veggie burgers as well as drinks, popcorn and chips. We will be showing Big Hero Six and the Amazing
Spiderman. Bring your lawn chairs to sit on and be ready to have a great time. Tickets will be sold all week on the stage at lunch. We can’t be a success without YOU!
Students: The second to the last hot lunch window is broken. If your last name is between O and Z, you will use the far right line.
Hey Blach! The creative writing class has published Issue 10 of Falcon Feed. Take a look at the students’ entertaining stories and poems as well as the creative illustrations by the art class. Will you dare to enter room 50 of the Marriott Hotel? What happens to Josie? What happens when the enemy fires shots at Kyle and his comrades? Where is Willow Richardson? What is the sound coming from Alex’s room? Read Falcon Feed today; look for Issue 10 on Blach’s website. Happy Reading!
CLUBS TODAY: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
IN SPORTS NEWS:
Good luck to Blach’s track and Field team as they travel to Kennedy after school for a tri-meet with Kennedy and McAuliffe. Athletes need to meet outside the front of school by 3:15 to ride the busses. Only those who have registered and paid the bus fee will be able to travel.
Yesterday Blach’s tennis team had a close match against Fisher losing 3-6. Great wins by Brandon playing singles and Tim, Saiyash, Nico and Coral playing doubles!! Next match is tomorrow against Miller at Mountain View HS.