Dear Almond Families,

Carla Schick, our amazing school librarian, has been part of our Almond family for the past 5 years. In those 5 years she has probably read to every child on campus during weekly story time in the library. She has made the library available to students during recess and lunch for those who prefer to relax with a good book or two. Students and staff have enjoyed countless author visits due in large part to her outreach and coordination. Her caring and positive presence has touched us all. It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to her this year. Please read below the message she wanted to share with you.

Best,

Raquel

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Dear Almond Community,

I am very sad to have to inform you that I can no longer work as Almond's school librarian. A change in rules from the California Public Employees Retirement System now prohibits those who are retired from holding a regular job, even if it is part-time. Since I began receiving retirement pay at age 50 with I retired from the Anaheim Public Library, this new rule applies to me. My last official day will be May 30th.

I cannot leave without saying what a tremendous privilege it has been for me to work with the children of Almond. They have given me great joy, and I love each and every one of them. They have taught me so much; I will often take notes of the clever and funny things they say so that I can tell my husband "Almond stories" at the end of the day (yes, there IS a Mr. Carla, as so many of the younger kids have asked!)

I would like to thank Principal Raquel Matteroli, and all of Almond's wonderful teachers and support staff, for your collegiality and friendship. You obviously care very much for each student's unique needs, and I love you for that. Thank you for the overwhelming support you provided me during my extended illness last year. I will never forget your kindness.

Finally, I would like to thank all the parents of Almond for your children. You are obviously doing something terribly right, because I have never worked with such caring and brilliant kids. I will miss working with your kids more than you can know.

With gratitude,

Ms. Carla

P.S. The new retirement rules do allow me to work in a substitute capacity, so the kids might see me next year in the classroom!

Important Dates

• 5/23, Thurs, OPEN HOUSE (6pm-7pm) and ART SHOW (5:30pm - 7:30pm)
• 5/24, Fri, MINIMUM DAY, 12:15 dismissal for all students
• 5/27, Mon, HOLIDAY, No School

• PICK UP STUDENT’S MEDICATION - From School Office

Medications will be available for pick up from June 13th, 2019 (last day of school) to June 18th, 2019. We cannot store medications over the summer. If you are leaving before school ends, please pick up medications early.

After School Playground Reminder

Please do not take your younger children to play on the blacktop, upper or lower playgrounds or field before our upper grade students are dismissed for the day. Our teachers (classroom and PE) need access to these areas for instruction. Thanks!

Order your copy of the 2018-19 Almond Yearbook!

This is the last reminder to order your copy of the 2018-19 Almond Yearbook!

There are 2 easy ways to purchase your copy:

(1) Order online and pay by credit card - go to this link: https://almondpta.squarespace.com/yearbook/order

(2) Fill out a Paper Form and pay by check or cash. Paper forms are available in the school office.

Yearbooks will be delivered to the classrooms during the last week of school and quantities are limited, so order your Yearbooks now!

Email Leon with any questions (leonyao.pta@gmail.com)

4th Grade Instrument Quest

• June 4th, 2019
• 4:00 – 7:00
• Covington Multi

In preparation for choosing a musical instrument to play in 5th grade, the LASD Music Department will host an instrument selection event called “Instrument Quest” for all 4th grade students in the district. Your child will be able to try out every instrument we offer in our Band and Orchestra (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello).

This is a great opportunity to see which instrument best suits your child. Parents are welcome to ask questions and to meet the LASD Music teachers.

Almond Activities to be Canceled Unless Parent Volunteers Available

There are a few activities our kids are in jeopardy of losing for next year because we do not have parent volunteers to run them. If you have enjoyed any of these activities or would like to ensure we have them for next year, please consider helping out. Contact Andrea Bocking (andreabocking@gmail.com), PTA President 2019-2020. Thank you!

Community Service - this committee helps inspire Almond students and families to give back through participating in nonprofit events. We need someone who can manage our participation in these events. More info about Almond Community Service can be found at https://almondschool.org/Almondes/Portal/almond-community-service. Without someone to lead this group, we will need to cancel community service opportunities.

Yearbook - this is a fun project that involves helping student council make the yearbook and distributing it to students. Let your creative side shine and keep a wonderful Almond tradition alive. Without someone to oversee and help produce the yearbook, we will not be able to offer this to our students.

Drama Club - if your child enjoyed this year's production of the Lion King, then consider helping out the Drama Club! We need a co-chair for next year's Drama Club that can help and learn from our expert returning chairs.

Volunteers needed for Hot Lunch for 2019-2020 School Year

We are currently seeking volunteers to help with serving hot lunch during the 2019/2020 school year. Time commitment on scheduled days is approximately 11:40am-12:40pm. You may specify how often and what weekdays you are available. Main responsibilities are helping to hand out food and ensuring children in the lunch line are moving through quickly.

If you are able to volunteer, please email Laura Gao at lauvid@gmail.com or you may sign up on this spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TjluEZuTIOZb13mg7SW95of5oFMerts9KPr9T2Vao9o/edit#gid=1896942969

LAEF Support

Help us raise the final $49K to meet our goal of $3.5M this school year.

We have a $5K challenge match! Your donation can be doubled.

Donate online or drop off a check in your school office.

Donations to LAEF are making a difference for every student!

This spring, contributions to LAEF are funding

• · PE teachers, helping students develop physical skills and training students for Junior Olympics
• · Music teachers, preparing students for spring concerts
• · Computer science teachers and STEM ISTs, making STEM and cSTEM Expos possible
• · Librarians, helping students to enjoy reading and teaching online research skills
• · Art Docents, introducing students to art appreciation and hands on learning
• · And so much more!

Viking Showcase

The Viking Showcase will be held this year on Thursday, June 6, 2019. Over 200 parent and community volunteers will be needed for this extraordinary event. Please sign up!

For over 20 years, the Viking Showcase Day has been a rite of passage for Egan 8th graders. This is a special event for 8th grade students, faculty, and adult volunteers.

Details are available on the Viking Showcase page on Egan Web site:

https://eganschool.org/egan/6696-PD.html

Any questions, please contact Lauren Hasenhuttl lhasenhu@gmail.com

Co-chair of Viking Showcase

String ensemble workshop for beginning and intermediate Violinists, Violists, and Cellists

Technique, String ensemble repertoire,

Basic music theory

Music History

Please email Dahnarudin@gmail.com

Monday 7/15 to Friday 7/19, 2-5pm

Rudin Cello Studio, Mountain View

Fee: $200

Golden Eagle Summer Sports Camp

Enjoy a fun-filled week at the Golden Eagle Summer Sports Camp and support the PTA at the same time!

By using the promo code almond19 you will save $20 off your registration and Golden Eagle will donate $20 directly to the PTA.

Golden Eagle Summer Sports Camp is a family run all-sports day camp for boys and girls K-8th grade. With a wide variety of sports and activities to choose from, including swimming, basketball, volleyball, soccer and more, it's one of the most loved camps in the Cupertino and San Jose communities. Camps this summer are running at both Homestead and Los Altos High Schools. Visit www.goldeneaglecamp.org or contact Carly at carly@goldeneaglecamp.org for more info.