I think DNA is magnificently gorgeous.  Probably not in the same complex way that those who truly get DNA think it’s beautiful, but in a more simplistic manner.  I mean, Google-image-search (that’s an Erika verb by the way) the initials DNA.  The result is an array of fantastic images of little dots connected with strands and all sorts of different colors weaving in ribbons.  It’s elegant, sophisticated...genius.

Wikipedia defines DNA as “Deoxyribonucleic acid:  a molecule that carries most of the instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all know living organisms…”  And, the University of Cambridge has an awesome audio explanation by fancy sounding scientists who break it down into “regular person” (that would be me) terms.

In my humble opinion, the true luster of DNA is in how it manifests in life forms.  No two of us are alike.  I love how quirky we human beings are.  Some of us love being around people, while others crave quiet time by themselves.  Some people think mathematics is magical, while others consider it torture and mind boggling.  Some hear every note in a symphony of sounds, while others don’t hear music, but instead a story or image unfolds in their mind.  Some spend a lifetime oriented inward; others cannot get through a single day without feeling the emotions of those around them which then compels them to initiate solutions to dilemmas and challenges in the world.

We humans are BEAUTIFUL!  Especially here at Almond (not that I have any personal bias about this).  Typically I connect my messages to students.  Today, I’d like to expand that focus beyond the exquisite qualities of our little ones and lend it to the parents and guardians who guide them on a daily basis.

Under the leadership of Seema Chavan and Polly Liu, Almond has touched the world in amazing ways through it’s Community Service Committee.  Throughout the year here is what these extraordinary women have helped organized and the impact their work has had on others.

• Stop Hunger Now (15,000 meals by 80-100 people)
• Operation Gratitude (350 lbs of candy donations)
• Family Giving Tree (125 wishes granted with gift donations)
• Ecumenical Hunger Program (2 times) - Food Pantry 
• Working Farm - Cleanup of a Working Farm benefiting families in need
• Redwood Grove Cleanup - restoring habitat
• Support of Student Council Canned food drive and Toy/Clothing Drive

They did not do it alone!!!  They have had an army of angels working with them in their efforts.

In THIS video, you can get a glimpse of some of these divine creatures.  In THIS photo book, if you squint just right, the blue cap shaped halos on their heads actually glow.

This past Saturday, about 85 members from the Almond community descended on the multi in partnership with the Stop Hunger Now organization.  Our families raised $4,500 which was used to prepare 15,000 meals for those in need.  Adults and children worked side by side in assembling multiple ingredients, weighing items, sealing packages and ultimately boxing them up for shipment into The World.  Did you read that?  THE WORLD!  People talk about “changing the world.”  Well, these folks from OUR community actually did change the world in this precious moment in time.  Check out THIS link regarding the impact of this organization.  Near the end of the page, you will read Dominic Alexander explain, “I have a heart for service…”  I LOVE THAT!  I have a heart for…

Our Almond community has a heart for others, a heart for bettering this world, a heart for selflessness, a heart for growing our children in ways beyond academics, a heart for orienting outwards.

Thank you again Seema Chavan and Polly Liu for leading all of our hearts in serving others.

At 3 minutes past 9pm on Thursday the principal message was finally polished and ready for publication...3 minutes too late. :-( I will keep doing my very best to not make this a habit.

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I’m sitting down to write while I listen to my “Prince” playlist. Ideas have been bouncing around in my head over the past few days and most landed on reflections from my spring break visit to China.  I wonder if I might be able to connect those initial thoughts with the amazing music artist serenading my ears, who significantly influenced my generation.  Here goes…

Almond has engaged in a partnership with a “sister school” in Hangzhou, China.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with this city, it’s where the September 2016 G20 Summit will be held.  My husband and I journeyed East 10,762 km (6687.19 miles for us Westerners) across the Pacific Ocean and Asian seas. It was an UNFORGETTABLE experience.  My husband’s biggest take away might have been surviving 9 days with no escape from his very energetic wife who wakes up at high speed and doesn’t slow down until her head hits the pillow.  I, on the other hand, had some other reflections that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Having been born in Mexico, lived in Spain, and Brazil, I have experienced incredible diversity and seen beauty in the form of the city chaos of “El Distrito Federal,” the Amazon, Carnival, and castle ruins in Europe.  Traveling to China exposed me to a world so very different than our own, yet with some similar fundamentals.   Throughout, we were mystified at the abundant juxtapositions, humbled by the paradox our own insignificance alongside the opportunity to contribute to this beautiful world, appreciative of life's simplicities, and in awe of its complex intricacies.  

Here are some pictures from our trip that speak to these reflections.

I have never met such hard working people; the concept of “leisure” belongs to the west.  There is great respect for ancient history and the influence of those that came before.  There is a deep sense of pride in the country.  There is gratitude by the newer generation for the progress that China has made in the past 20 years, while at the same time a fear of the country developing too quickly.  There is a new understanding of how important it is to care for the environment so as to address the pervasive pollution.  There is eerie acceptance of the limits in place by the government because the people are only informed by what is permitted through the censures.

In the fall, approximately 20 students, a few teachers, and the principal from Dayulu Primary School - will visit America and spend two days at our school.  While dining with the educators from China, we discussed the differences in how we approach learning.  In China, there are 40-50 students per class.  Teachers only teach one subject.  Students work in groups infrequently.  During PE we saw students marching and practicing changing formations from 2 lines, to 4 lines, etc…  During recess, music came over the speakers and the students all go out to the track for a run and then they engage in different types of play.  They encourage physical exercise every day.  Students are expected to sit upright with their arms one over the other and there is a specific way to raise hands.  When students speak, they stand at their desk.  Students and staff were very friendly and we were truly treated like royalty.

I shared that our class sizes are 25-30 students.  Most teachers teach all subjects at the elementary level while teachers in the upper grades specialize on a few.  Students work in groups throughout the day and we highly value conversation, team work, and problem solving.  Students participate in PE for a certain amount of minutes per week and play a variety of games at recess.  In one room we have three different types of chairs that respond to the active nature of children; rocking, bouncing, wiggling.  Student write on their tables with a white board marker.  Students do raise hands, but they aren’t required to stand.  We are a warm, welcoming, nurturing, spirited, diverse community.

All this week I have had a permanent smile as I’ve passed through classrooms and walked throughout the campus during recess and lunch.  I LOVE ALMOND SCHOOL!!!  We have students from all different backgrounds that effortlessly (most of the time ;-)) play and learn at each others’ side.  Staff is encouraged to take risks and forge ahead with fierce, innovative, ideas that benefit children.  We strive to differentiate, individualize, and personalize learning for EVERY student. We encourage voice and choice and want our students to be critical thinkers who contribute beauty to this world; whether that be in the form of a new invention, a cure for cancer, a business start up, or…(wait for it)...an incredible musician’s musician like Prince.

Prince was born in Minneapolis and died there as well.  His parents were both musicians and he learned to love music early in his life.  He gained international success in 1982 with the release of his 1999 album.  When listening to his songs with high quality ear phones, I hear tracks that are each laid upon the other offering different pathways into music nirvana.  Perhaps it’s his soulful voice, or the twangs of his high pitched bravado, or the incredible guitar plucking and riffs.  He was creative, brave, tenacious, free, talented - a unique individual who contributed to the beauty of this world!  

Let us all aspire to create environments around us that support each learner in our midst to develop into the amazing individual they are meant to become.

Whether you have more than one child or are a sibling, you know that even though their/your DNA came from the same source, the end result is perfectly unique and like no other.  This could not be more true for my two children.  My oldest kid was born a rule follower with a very clear definition of boundaries.  She is very concrete and must be continuously reminded of the benefits of flexibility.  My youngest child has athletic talents, picks up the lyrics in a song only after hearing it once, and has only 1 speed from the moment of awakening to when passing out at night.

It is an assumption in our family that both will pursue higher educations and work towards some type of professional career; hopefully one of their choosing that aligns with their passions and brings them joy.

For some time, we have teased Sammi (5th grader) that she would be the most amazing brain surgeon because of her precise exactness on everything.  She wasn’t quite sure about the blood and guts part of medicine so we talked through lots of other options.  At dinner, while engaged in a heated discussion with her father where she continued pursuing an argument with facts and rebuttals, law became a topic of conversation.  Regardless of what she chooses, I hope it taps into her ever evolving feisty and tenacious spirit.

Somewhere along my children’s career path journeys, they will likely encounter a “test.”  The purpose of such an exam will likely serve to determine what they know and to evaluate their potential readiness to partake in a next step; an undergraduate degree, GRE, MCAT, CBEST, The Bar, CPA exam...

A perpetual debate in K-12 education is the validity and value of standardized tests.  Why do we give them?  Why are children “subjected” to them?  Are they appropriate measures of learning?  Isn’t there a better way to measure progress?  How do we use the information we glean from these tests?

As an educator, I am adamant that there are many ways to measure learning and that to get an accurate picture, multiple tools must be examined.  When we overlay these different types of information, we begin the gain a better understanding of what students know and what they need to learn.  At Almond, we have been administering a 1:1 assessment at all grade levels for reading (Fountas & PInnell / F&P), a computer adaptive diagnostic for reading and math (iReady), along with formative classroom check ins in all subject areas.  As a result, we are working together as a staff to tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of the 553 learners at our school.

During the last week of April, 3rd through 6th graders at Almond will participate in the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) test which in California is called the CAlifornia Assessment of Student Progress and Progress (CAASPP).  There are two components to this assessment of English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics; a performance task and a computer adaptive test.  The performance task includes a classroom lesson and a follow up computerized prompt that requires students to apply their learning to solving or addressing a matter.  The computer adaptive version blends questions of various types; multiple choice, short answer, constructed response, technology enhanced that might include dragging and dropping or highlighting.  To see some examples, please visit THIS link.

By the time some of you read the end of the preceding paragraph and began this one, you might have already gotten your child on the computer to start “practicing.”  No really, I know some of you...and I’m not far off, am I?  So now, go back to your child and get them off the computer and tell them Mrs. Benadom asked you to do so.

It is really important that our children have a HEALTHY mindset around these upcoming assessments and tests in general.  We grown ups have the power to either contribute to a positive outlook or a climate of fear, anxiety, and trepidation.  I propose we work together towards the former.

Students at Almond have been working hard all year to learn many different concepts and skills.  Students at Almond are incredibly capable.  Students at Almond have varying strengths and areas of need.

We learned many lessons last year in regards to the proctoring of the assessment and are responding in these ways.

• Due to Internet bandwidth issues, we will not be administering all grade levels at one time
• Here is a detailed schedule of what grade levels are taking what assessments on which days
• For the ELAPT and MPT (PT stands for performance tasks), the classroom lesson will take place before recess and the computerized portion will take place after recess
• For the ELACAT and MCAT (CAT stands for computer adaptive test), the assessment will promptly begin at 8:45am
• Any student requiring more time for testing will be provided that time that same day in the STEM lab with Mrs. Leach
• Any student that misses a test date will be logged on a spreadsheet and will participate in the make up day
• Any student arriving after 8:45am on a CAT day will not report to their homeroom until testing has finished and will be provided with alternate work in the STEM lab until 10am

As a staff, we feel very confident that our students have learned a great deal this year and that they will be able to effectively show what they know on this assessment.  The SBAC CAASPP is one single measure that will give our school, and you - the parent, information about what our children have mastered and are still needing support in mastering.

Happy Spring Break!

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Today I want to share with you some of the joy that makes me smile on a daily basis as principal.  One of our teachers received this email from a student.

Attachment:  Smiley-with-thumbs-up-clipart.png

Dear [Teacher Name],

I bet we've all thought about how we're gonna try and catch me up.  I missed a few days because I was sick.  So there’s probably stuff to do that i missed, like a new skill in math.  Maybe crushing decimals and fractions with bricks (because we've done a variety of stuff with those two numbers).  I would rather do 1 on 1 with you than get 20 lbs of homework.  So maybe we can do some catching up in class, or extra homework. Thanks for your time.     

[Student Name]

The student followed up with the teacher in person today and said, “I hope you know that the 20lbs of homework comment in my email to you was an exaggeration.  You would never give that much homework, but sometimes exaggerations are not understood through email. I just want to make that clear.” 

On the subject of math, here’s a great resource of sentence starters to support mathematical discourse.

My own 5th grader asked me, over homemade sliders on Tuesday, how the fraction ½ could actually be considered 1 divided by 2 or how fraction ¼ is considered 1 divided by 4.  She said her peers were telling her this was true and it just didn’t make sense.  While I could have drawn a circle and shown the 1 circle divided into two parts, I thought I might need to try something different with Sammi’s sometimes very concrete thinking.  I got a scratch paper and said, “Well, let’s try dividing 1 by 2 and see what happens.”  We performed the calculation through the traditional algorithm and out came .5.  Her eyes widened.  We then did the same for 1 divided by 4 and out came .25.  We related this to a dollar, a 50 cent piece, and a quarter.  Her response was, “Math is magical!  This is why I love it.”

While I didn’t probe with any of the awesome questions in this resource, the next time I will!

And back to that charming student who stole my heart by proactively reaching out to his teacher about how to catch up due to his absences…

Each and every one of our Almond students is absolutely amazing!  Thank you for sharing your children with us.  They are incredible human beings who make this world a wonderful place.

It’s 7:58pm on Thursday and I’m sitting with my family at Islands restaurant in Cupertino after being at Alex’s (my 9 year old) softball game.  I’ve been searching for inspiration for my Thursday Word principal message all day and never found it.  So I’m doing what I’ve told my own students to do when they experienced writer’s block; I’m just writing whatever is in my head.

While we wait for our food, Sammi (my 10 year old) is reading her book, Chris (husband) is to my right gazing at the Kansas & Maryland March Madness game on the screen, Alex is tracing a crayon through the maze on the kid menu. 

A myriad of topics cross over the dinner table:  the 102 year old author who came to speak at their school today, a birthday sleepover plan for June, the request for wife to step up her game and help with lunches in the morning, what mom’s writing, how bacon makes pretty much everything better.  You know, typical conversation.

Alex then chimes in, “Mama, let me help you.  What’s happening at your school that’s interesting?”

I tell her that I could write about…

• last week’s Gala, thank the amazing volunteers that contributed, and rave about how successful it was.
• the STEM Expo which showcased projects from students in 1^st through 6^th grade and how the incredible Mrs. Leach led the event with support from fellow staff members and selfless volunteers.
• a dedicated 5^th grade team that collaborated today around how to support writing in a systematic, thoughtful way for students.
• engaging lessons I observed this week where students were active, participatory, and challenged in their learning.
• the admiration I have for our PTA leadership team that fields innumerable challenges and forges ahead with an unwavering commitment to focusing on what’s best for children.
• Almond’s staff that has come to consensus around behaviors and actions to which we will all hold ourselves accountable as we revolutionize learning for children.
• an awesome conversation with our district team regarding transformational approaches to support students who will attend summer school.
• how much I valued spending lunch with one of my principal buddies in between interviewing candidates for teaching positions in our district.

It is now 6:37am on Friday morning and I’m already at work to get a head start on the day.  While I didn’t make the 9pm software cutoff for the Thursday Word last night, today’s a new day, full of endless possibilities.  Let’s make it a great one!

Five hundred and fifty two students.  

Fifty eight staff members.

Six hundred and thirty one parents and guardians.

One Mission.

Empower our students to own their learning in a collaborative community.

One Vision.

Foster engaged learners who are able to:

• Explore interests, pursue passions, and develop their voice
• Build confidence through a growth mindset
• Work together to solve problems and think creatively
• Celebrate their successes!!!

I look forward to seeing many of you at tomorrow night’s auction as we come together to raise funds towards our collective mission and vision.  

Amidst the rain and the storms, we may at times forget about the sunshine that came before and the rays of light that will come again.  We must have faith that behind the clouds is a bright beautiful sun; full of warmth, healing, and the power to regenerate.

Today I’d like to take a moment to celebrate some of the bright spots where the LASD and Almond vision to revolutionize learning through personalized experiences for children - shines brightly.

• In a classroom where flexible and responsive learning tools (not simply furniture) have been embraced, students created an open space where they were able to choose how they wanted to learn.
• A teacher had students complete questions cards in math and then she met 1:1 with each student to provide personalized coaching on overcoming a difficult concept.
• In a third grade classroom, during math, students were divided into three small groups.  Each group participated in instruction that was relevant and matched to their math ability level.
• In the STEM lab students weren’t given the answers when challenged to build their Doodle Bots.  The growth mindset was instilled in them by encouraging them to push through their struggle to discover solutions on their own.
• In a 6th grade classroom, students played jeopardy to review their learning on the history and influence of world religions.  Student engagement was palpable via the earnest interest and enthusiasm evident in their contributions.
• In another 6th grade classroom, the teacher sat on the floor aside students as she conferenced with them on their writing project.  She asked reflective questions and checked in with each individual.
• In yet another 6th grade classroom, groups of students energetically planned their Science Expo projects and utilized “Lego - Build with Chrome” to create a model of their project.
• In a second grade classroom, students worked in small groups or partners to write their own version of a “Runaway Gingerbread” story after having compared and contrasted ones from a variety of different cultures.
• In a kindergarten classroom, students used a rubric with smiley faces to assess their own writing.
• In TK, student choice was honored during center time while the teacher worked with a small group of students on targeted skills.

As raindrops fall, while they may at times blur our ability to see far into the horizon and leave us feeling wet and cold - let us not forget to remember the sun’s touch on our skin, the birds song in our ears, and the beautiful blossoms that are sprouting all around us.  This world is a beautiful place and the marks we are making in it, each and every day, are valued and worthwhile.

If you were not able to attend the last PTA Meeting, or the Principal Coffee, here is a presentation regarding Personalizing Learning through Collaboration (PLtC).   

Join the movement to celebrate the awesomeness of each and every child at Almond!  Come to tomorrow’s Friday assembly at 8:30am on the blacktop.

I bought a whole bunch of white t-shirts today and many kids wrote words that captured their wonderfulness.  I ran out of shirts but PROMISED I would have more tomorrow morning in the multi.  If you don’t have a t-shirt that you’ve already made or are planning to make tonight, feel free to come by in the morning - to the multi.  It would be fantastic if you were able to come assist your child in selecting a word that describes what makes them special and to get it written with a Sharpie.  I won’t be in there because I’ll be setting things up...but all the supplies will be ready for you.

If I haven’t told you lately, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!

Have you ever lost your footing?  Was it just a stumble?  Or perhaps an obliterated, disastrous fall? I’ve done both; and everything in between.  You know what?  You’re still here; I’m still here; and we’re all stronger for it.

This past Sunday I watched an incredible performance by the Peking Acrobats.  Undoubtedly the most intense act for me was the chair balancing routine.  With every chair that was stacked, I sunk deeper in my own seat and held my breath just a tad bit longer.  He had my reverence at the fourth chair, but kept going all the way to number 8.  Aside from a barely noticeable wobbling, it was flawless.  

flaw•less (adjective) without any blemishes or imperfections; perfect.

That particular display of perfection isn’t what stuck with me.  It is not what I’m going to carry in my heart on a daily basis.  What I most valued, and was reminded of, was the beauty of imperfection.

At three different points, something didn’t go as planned.  One of the rings got knocked down, a yoyo fell off the string, and the spears holding up a man were too much to endure - the first time.  Without any fanfare, the entire team rewound their steps to the point of failure and attempted the feat again.  On the second time, success prevailed.

im•per•fect (adjective) not perfect; faulty or incomplete.

Life is so messy!  As toddlers we trip, teeter, stagger...and ultimately gain our footing.  In many ways we do the same as adolescents.  And, unless you have some true super human power, we continue this circuitous route into adulthood.  We learn to walk, run, sprint, dance, and so much more.  Why?  Because we never gave up.  

Those of you reading this message are either parents or educators.  Most of us ;-) made a deliberate choice to either bring a child into this world or to dedicate our life work in service of children.

For the benefit of OUR children, let’s embody the beauty of the Peking Acrobats in all that we do.  Let us be intentional in our practice to become excellent.  Let us communicate effectively as we work together.  Let us forgive ourselves when we make mistakes.  Let us make it our priority to ensure everyone thrives.  Let us be confident and fearless in our maneuvers throughout life!