Thursday Word – February 4, 2010

FROM THE PRINCIPAL – Terri Stromfeld

Vandalism Alert

Almond and other schools in the Los Altos School District have recently experienced several incidents of vandalism. Similar vandalism and destruction of property has also been experienced in the neighborhoods surrounding our schools.  Recent incidents on school campuses have included fires being set, school gardens being damaged, alcoholic beverage bottles being broken, and graffiti being sprayed on buildings. Neighborhoods have experienced similar destruction of property, along with car break-ins and minor property thefts.   In an effort to protect our schools and neighborhoods, we ask that any suspicious activity on any campus be reported immediately to the Los Altos Police at 947-2770. Please talk to your neighbors about any suspicious behavior in your neighborhood. By working together as a community, we can minimize these incidents – thereby protecting our neighborhoods and providing a safe environment for our children.  

Special thanks go to:

·  Our second grade teachers, Nancy Liu, Joann Martinez, Tammy Reilly, and Jill Zorn for creating the successful Heritage Potluck last Friday, and to our many parents who provided special lunch items representing their family heritage! Our second graders enjoyed learning about the traditions of their country of origin and experiencing the cultures of their classmates.   

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

• ·  Friday, February 5, Parents’ Night Out
• ·  Saturday, February 6, 9:30am-12pm, Beautification Event
• ·  Monday, February 15, Requests for intra-district transfers due to LASD office
• ·  Saturday, March 6, Night at the Oscars
• ·  Saturday, April 24, 50^th Junior Olympics

 

ALMOND’S NIGHT AT THE OSCARS

With the Academy Award nominations just announced this week, we are getting even closer to our very own celebration:  Almond’s Night at the Oscars!  Be with us Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 6:30-11pm, at the Los Altos Golf and Country Club to celebrate and support our school.  

   

Wonderful items in our auction will include:

• a weekend in the Wine Country at the newly constructed Westin Verasa
• a week of tennis camp for your child at Fremont Hills Country Club
• private horse lessons at Westwind Barn
• much, much more!  

  It will be a night to remember!  Tickets are still on sale for $65 each – contact Liz Parker or look for the auction table after school. Hope to see you all on March 6th!  

Arrive at the Auction in a Limo! Raffle Tickets on Sale Now 

Want to ride to Almond’s Night at the Oscars in style? Don’t miss your chance to win one of our two donated limousines. You and your party will be picked up and taken home like true stars!  Raffle tickets cost only $10 per ticket. Buy them at the auction table at pick up or email Liz Parker.  The drawing will be held on March 1 at 3:00 pm in the front of school. Winners will be notified by email if they are not present at the drawing.  

Childcare Available during the Auction at Kids’ Place

No need to search for a babysitter!  The Kids’ Place staff will offer childcare from 6:15-11:00pm on the night of the auction.  Rates are as follows:  $35 for one child, $50 for 2 children, $70 for 3 children, and $12 for each additional child after three.  Children as young as three years old are permitted.  Contact Kids’ Place Director, Joshua Harmon, to register.      

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upper Grade Lunchtime Help Needed

If you know of anyone interested in supervising our upper grade students during our 12:00-12:45pm lunch period, please contact Principal Terri Stromfeld.  Pay is $15/hour and help is needed immediately.  

Almond Beautification Event

Beautification Day is this Saturday from 9:30am-12:00pm.  Green thumbs not required!  No worries if you cannot attend the entire time – any amount of effort is appreciated! Please bring your own gardening tools, and bagels, juice and coffee will be provided.  If it rains we will reschedule, and an alternate date will be published in next week’s Thursday Word.  Contact Deby Pasturel with any questions.  

Let’s Double Our Box Tops for Education

Almond just received a check for $300 from the Box Tops for Education program!  Thanks to all of you who participate in this program by bringing in your coupons to the office.  This total reflects the 3000 coupons that have been collected so far this year.  Let’s try to double this for the second half of the year and get everyone involved.  Before throwing out empty grocery items, check all packaging for the little pink coupon, cut out and bring into the office.  It’s as easy as that.  For a complete listing of participating General Mills products click here.  THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!  

Sixth Grade Car Wash Coming In March!

DON’T WASH THAT CAR! The sixth graders will be washing (and drying!) cars at Almond on Friday, March 19th from 3:30-6:00pm and Saturday, March 20th from 10am-2pm to raise money to fund sixth grade activities.  Please save the dates!  Pre-sold tickets will be available beginning in February. We will also be selling delicious baked goods during the event. Thanks!  

Junior Olympics 2010: Save the Date!!

Attention all 4^th, 5^th and 6^th graders: please save the date for the 50^th Junior Olympics on Saturday April 24, 2010. This year’s event will be held at Mountain View High School.  For more information, click here.   

Intra-district (Open Enrollment) Transfers

The Los Altos School District has a policy of Open Enrollment that permits students living within district boundaries to attend a school other than their neighborhood school, subject to space availability. Requests for an intra-district transfer must be submitted to the District Office by February 15. An intra-district transfer approval in grades K-6 is in effect for one school year.  Intra-district requests must be submitted annually and approval will be based on space available at the requested school. To access the complete policy #5116.1, go to “Board Policies and Administrative Regulations” at the bottom of the LASD site.  Transfer request forms are available at the District Office. Contact the Superintendent’s Office (650-947-1152) for more information.    

PARENT EDUCATION 

http://www.almond.losaltos.k12.ca.us/parent/parent_ed.php

Key Dates

• ·  Wednesday, February 3, 10, 24 and March 3, Real Parents, Real Daughters Workshop
• ·  Tuesday, February 23, Race to Nowhere
• ·  Thursday, March 4, Getting Organized: Helping Your Child Be Successful in School
• ·  Thursday, March 25, Building Resilience in Our Youth: Raising Healthy Kids

 

Real Parents, Real Daughters Workshop

This Girls Leadership Institute workshop will teach girls critical skills to improve communication skills with peers and with family and will empower them to speak up with courage and honesty. Note that it is targeted at 2^nd and 3^rd grade girls and their parents.  The workshops will be held on Wednesdays, Feb 3, 10, 24 and March 3, from 6:00- 7:30pm right here at Almond Elementary School.  For more info or to register, click here.   

Race to Nowhere

Don’t miss this documentary film showing on Tuesday, February 23 at 7pm at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto. It is about our achievement-obsessed culture and its effect on young people. This is the first showing in our area and is sure to sell out so be sure to get your tickets ASAP! To purchase your ticket, click here.  

I Left My Homework on My Printer – Getting Organized: Helping Your Child Be Successful in School

Ana Homayoun will be speaking on March 4, 7:30pm – 8:30 p.m., in the Egan Multi-Purpose Room  

Building Resilience in Our Youth: Raising Healthy Kids

Ken Ginsburg, M.D. will be presenting this topic on Thursday, March 25th at Gunn High School’s Spangenberg Theater in Palo Alto, 6:30pm – 8:30pm.      

LASD FREQUENT FLYER NEWSLETTER

www.losaltos.k12.ca.us/PDF_Files/2009_2010/School_News_02_04_2010.PDF       

WANT TO SUBMIT SOMETHING TO THE THURSDAY WORD?

Send announcements to us at almond.thursdayword@gmail.com by 1:00pm 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. For more information about Almond Elementary School visit www.almondschool.org.  

    

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