Almond Thursday Word

Dear Almond Families:

Yesterday our TK-3 grade students presented their Winter musical performance for Almond families and friends. Under the direction of Nate Stein, our CSMA music teacher, they sang three selections each, sometimes accompanied by their own musical instruments. They all did a phenomenal job and it was the perfect lead into our winter break. Thank you to all of our Almond Ohana for supporting the TK-3 music program through your generous donations to the PTA fund. Please see below for pictures from their Winter program.

And our Almond PTA treated our staff to one of our favorite traditions: the Holiday Cookie Exchange! There were treats aplenty for all of us, and we were able to take many home to our families (and tasted a few along the way!). We are so appreciative of our PTA and all they do for us.

Here’s to a restful break and happy holidays!

Raquel

Just wanted to send out a quick postscript that we have made a recent update to the Almond Family Handbook. As a staff we discussed the expectations around toys at school. We decided that it would be best for students to leave all toys at home (they can be distracting and/or get damaged or lost). We are happy to provide all playground equipment any child might need. If you would like to read more, please follow this link: Almond Playground Expectations

12/23-1/3, December Recess, NO SCHOOL

Mon, 1/6/20, School resumes--we'll be glad to see you!

Wed, 1/15/20, PTA Board Meeting, 8:30

Mon, 1/20, Holiday, NO SCHOOL

Tue, 1/21, Staff Development, NO SCHOOL

Wed, 1/22, Auditions for our musical Annie (grades 3-6 only)

Mon, 1/27, LASD Board Meeting, 201 Covington Rd, 7:00pm

Wed, 2/26, STEM Expo, 5-7pm, Multi

Thur, 3/5, Minimum Day, 12:15 dismissal, special dismissal time!

Sat, 3/7, Back to the 80's Gala and Auction evening

On February 26, 2020, Almond will hold LASD’s 7th Annual STEM Expo. The Expo invites students in grades TK-6 to participate! While engaging in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects, students will have an opportunity to design hands-on projects while exploring just how fun STEM can be! This event lends itself to a myriad of learning experiences: within the class or at home, working individually or collaboratively with peers and/or with adults, and amongst a wide range of STEM categories including: Rube Goldberg, Invention/Environmental Innovation, Reverse Engineering, Robotics, Scientific Inquiry and Wearable Designs. Ultimately, students get the chance to showcase their STEM work in a fun and unique venue, with learning opportunities for the entire family.

The STEM Expo will be open to the public on Wednesday, February 26, from 5:00-7:00 pm.

Check out the website at www.tinyurl.com/LASDStemExpo to find out more and sign up! Be sure to click on Almond to get specific school information. Sign up ends on February 12th. Questions? Email STEM IST Alison Gentile at agentile@lasdschools.org

Volunteers needed! Please sign up HERE!

An orphan in a facility run by the mean Miss Hannigan, Annie believes that her parents left her there by mistake. When a rich man named Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks decides to let an orphan live at his home to promote his image, Annie is selected. While Annie gets accustomed to living in Warbucks' mansion, she still longs to meet her parents. So Warbucks announces a search for them and a reward, which brings out many frauds.

Auditions: Thursday January 23, 2020 from 2pm – 4pm

Regular rehearsals start Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Grades: 3-6

Rehearsal Days/Times: Tuesday from 3pm - 5pm and Thursday from 2pm - 4pm

Additional/extended rehearsals May 4-7

Performances: May 7-9, 2020

Enrollment DUE date: Thursday, January 23, 2020

To participate:

1. Complete this registration form (one per child).

2. For each child participating, write a $175 check made out to "Almond PTA" with your child's name in the memo.

3. Drop the check off in the box labeled "Almond Drama Program" in the school office.

If you have any questions please email Luisa Smith or Christi Crosby.

We're pleased to announce that enrollment is open for Almond's Winter 2020 After School Activities schedule.

All information and sign up details can be found at our dedicated website:

https://sites.google.com/view/almondafterschoolactivities/home

We'll update the site for every new session, so please check back frequently to ensure you are able to sign up your kids for the programs that they want

Sign Up - Get Them Before They Are Gone!

Please be aware that space on some of these programs is very limited. To ensure you can get a space for your child please do aim to review the choices and sign up soon.

Reminder that our contact email address is: almondactivities@gmail.com

Thanks and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Your donation to LAEF will be DOUBLED during the holidays!

We have a Challenge Match.

A group of LASD families has offered to match every dollar donated before December 31st, up to a total of $50,000.

Donate to LAEF now and make twice the impact!

Funding an excellent public education is only possible with your support.

Once you’ve made your donation to LAEF, be sure to request a corporate match, if it’s possible. Find out if your company offers corporate matching.

We still need to raise over $700,000 to reach our 2019-20 goal of $3.4 million to fully fund teachers at our neighborhood schools.

Let's bring in the New Year with strong support for our students!

Happy Holidays!

The 7th Grade Girl Scouts of Troop 61025 will happily watch your children for you so you can have a parents' day out on Saturday, December 21, 2019. You can do some holiday chores, have lunch with your spouse or friends, or just have a quiet afternoon at home!! The event will be held at Almond Elementary in the Multi, from 11 AM to 4:00 P.M. The girls will provide lunch and snacks, play games, and read books with the children.

Payment is CASH ONLY, payable when you drop your child off. Rates are $30 for each child. You must sign each child up individually.

Money earned will be used to support the troop's travel goals.

After you sign up, you will receive an email confirmation.If you have any questions, please contact the troop leader: Amy Mendenhall 734-717-7181 or amylmendenhall@gmail.com‬. Thank you!

The Almond Singers Chorus had a great Winter Holiday Concert for the school last Wednesday, December 4, and registration is now open for the 2019 Spring Semester (Jan-May)! Enrollment is open for students in grades 2-6, and costs $75 for the Spring Semester. This Spring, the Almond Singers will once again participate in the LASD Choral Showcase in early April, and perform two spring concerts at Almond. Practices are held every Tuesday at 7:30am in the Almond Multi, and resume on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. Please email Margaret Barnett, Almond Singers Director, at margaretmbarnett@gmail.com to register your child. Happy Holidays!

Bookwave booklets are due soon! Here are some tips and tricks for "effortlessly" completing this project:

• Sample books for inspiration: https://studentreasures.com/teachers-lounge/sample-books-topic-ideas/
• If you need more or different pages - https://studentreasures.com/teachers-lounge/replacement-kit-materials/
• Writing tips - https://studentreasures.com/teachers-lounge/writing-tips/

One of our very own teachers will lead a workshop to help kids finish up their books will be on Wednesday, Jan 15th, 2020. PLEASE RSVP here if you can make it.

The due date for completed books will be Friday, January 24, 2020.

If parents are still interested in purchasing a booklet, please contact Raina at rainab@gmail.com; it will be $15 payable to Almond PTA.

Thanks in advance for turning the packets in on-time! If you have any questions, please contact Raina at rainab@gmail.com

If you are an AmazonSmile customer, you can now support Almond Elementary School PTA in the Amazon shopping app on your Android device! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.

1. If you have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping App, open the App on your Android device.
2. View Settings and select AmazonSmile.
3. Follow the in-App instructions to complete the process.

If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping App, update your App. Click here for instructions.

Of course, you can always use your computer too!

If you see some new faces at Almond in January, please be sure to welcome them to our Ohana (family)! As of today, we will have five new families in grades K, 1, 2, 4 and 6. We are looking forward to getting to know you!

Yes, we still have a large collection of sweatshirts, water bottles and other items. Please be sure to take a look before the end of day tomorrow--we will be dropping everything off at a local charity.

If your student is going to be absent, please call the Attendance Line 650-917-5454, or email almondsecretary@lasdschools.org.

School and Community News via Peachjar

https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/896851/schools/53999