ALMS Weekly Update
INSPIRE-EDUCATE-EMPOWER
Albert Leonard Middle School
April 21, 2023 Newsletter
Happy Friday!
Hello ALMS Families,
We hope this message finds you well. Starting next week, we'll be implementing a new SPOT schedule designed to optimize student learning and engagement during the school day. This revised schedule will provide more opportunities for collaboration, personalized learning, and better alignment with our students' needs. We understand that this may be an adjustment period for some students and families, but we're committed to supporting all our students throughout this process.
This week we had the ELA NYS Assessment. Thank you to all the teachers and staff who put in the work to make it a smooth process!
As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide the best possible education for our students.
Sincerely,
ALMS Administration
Important Upcoming Dates
Last Day of Ramadan - April 21st
Eid al-Fitr - April 21st (NO SCHOOL) - 22nd
Earth Day - April 22nd
First Day of SPOT Period - April 24th
NYS Math Test Day 1 - May 2nd
NYS Math Test Day 2 - May 3rd
Band and Orchestra Spring Concert - May 4th
PTA Meeting - May 10th
6th, 7th and 8th Grade Spring Choral Concert - May 18th
ShowBiz Kids Performances - May 11th (7pm), 12th (7pm), and 13th (3pm & 7pm)
Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL - May 26th & May 29th
Thank you Mrs. Tilsa Gonzalez & The Entire ALMS Physical Education Department
This week, there was a Learning The Ropes takeover in Physical Education. The Learning The Ropes staff was present for two days and provided jump rope skill instruction, including combos, games, and more for students to discover the fun in using a jump rope. It was exciting to see the entire gymnasium filled with students jumping. Thank you to Mrs. Gonzalez, Supervisor of P.E and Health, for organizing this special event for ALMS, and we look forward to more opportunities to support the P.E takeover. We appreciate the ALMS P.E teachers for facilitating this new and engaging experience for our students!
New Rochelle SEPTA is happy to celebrate the 2023 honorees at our annual We Are One Dinner on Thursday, May 4th at VIP Country Club.
We appreciate any assistance with getting the word out and we look forward to celebrating with you on May 4th. See you at "The Best Night in New Rochelle"!
Please see and click the flyer below for more details as well as ticket information.
The We Are One Committee
District Correspondence Regarding the Upcoming NYS Assessments
Dear New Rochelle Community,
As a part of our balanced assessment system, our schools will participate in the annual New York
State Grades 3-8 assessments. A balanced assessment system uses both school-based and state
testing to measure student performance. The state assessments are snapshots of moments in time, which, in conjunction with other measures administered by the district and locally at our schools, provide a more complete picture of student learning.
We remain committed to addressing the whole child. As such, the state testing results will not be used as the sole means of determining student achievement. The information gleaned from them,
combined with the other measures, will help to highlight the content knowledge of our students, and inform the instructional programmatic changes that are needed to enhance learning.
Some students become anxious when taking assessments. While it is important to acknowledge the value of any assessment, it is equally important to remind them that these assessments are simply one measure of performance. The more relaxed and prepared our students are about these assessments, the more likely they are to perform their best and truly demonstrate their understanding of the taught content.
Please note that our teachers, staff, and administrators do everything to ensure that students feel
comfortable and are prepared to do their best work. Again, like any assessment, we ask our students to simply do all they can. We certainly do not want any of our students to stay home to avoid taking one of these assessments due to fear of not performing well.
The table below outlines the administration schedule for these paper-based assessments.
In preparation for them, we recommend that students get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast (at home or school), and relax and make every effort.
We are committed to working closely with you to guarantee your child(ren)’s success, alleviate any
fears or anxieties they may have, and encourage you to contact your school principal if you have any questions or concerns about these assessments.
Thank you for continued partnership in serving our students, your children, to work with us to make
sure they are successful.
ALL CHECKS FOR HOLIDAY HILLS and CAP AND GOWNS should be made out to "Albert Leonard Middle School"
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ALMS PTA presents the 8th Grade Formal Dance for the Class of 2023 that will be held Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 6pm to 9pm at VIP Country Club located at 600 Davenport Avenue, New Rochelle, NY. Tickets are $60 and will be sold online and in school during 8th grade lunch periods on Fridays. Payment methods accepted are cash, check (checks made payable to "ALMS PTA") and online (https://app.memberhub.gives/8thgradeformal/Campaign/Details).
March 28, 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians:
We hope all is well with you and your family. It seems like yesterday that our eighth-grade students came to us as eager sixth graders. As the start of their final marking period of middle school approaches, we are looking ahead to the next phase of their lives.
Over the last few weeks and moving forward, we have been ramping up our efforts to prepare them for their transition to high school. This includes meeting with their counselors for course selection and a virtual orientation for families and parents that provides greater insight into life at New Rochelle High School.
The 8th-grade year culminates with a series of activities designed to celebrate the achievements of our students. These include the 8th-Grade Formal Dance at the VIP Country Club, a day trip to Holiday Hill, Awards Night, and the Transition Ceremony. The dates and costs for each event are in this message. Please look for further details on each event as the dates approach.
Throughout your child’s time here, they have been held to our school's highest academic rigor and expectations. We want to remind you that basic requirements must be met to participate in any/all end-of-year eighth-grade activities. Participation in these events is contingent upon students meeting behavioral and academic standards. Please note the following:
Academic Exclusions:
Students with failures in two or more major academic subjects will be excluded from participation in 8th Grade Activities
Behavioral Exclusions:
Students who continually engaged in violations of the code of conduct
Students who demonstrate ongoing rude and disrespectful behavior towards adults and others
Students who continue to be late and or attempt cut class
If you have any concerns that your child may not meet the academic qualifications/expectations, please contact your child’s school counselor. Mr. Smith, the 8th grade Administrator, can field any inquiries about your child's eligibility for participation in upcoming events.
We look forward to the coming months and exciting times ahead. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Edwards-Thomas, Principal
Mr. Smith, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Washington, 8th grade Advisor
See the presentation given on 3/16 for our rising 9th grade students
Tickets are still available for the Sneaker Ball!!
⭐Summer Stars Exploration Program⭐
Registration is now Open for the Summer Stars Exploration Program!
This FREE program will run weekdays, 8:30am to 3:30pm, July 5 through August 3 for kindergarten through eighth graders.
The program is focused on non-traditional academic, social-emotional, and enrichment experiences for our learners.
Don’t miss your chance to participate! Summer Stars Exploration is free! You can find registration information on our school district webpage https://www.nred.org/article/1047760
Please note, registered families will be selected by lottery and notified of placement by email.
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¡La inscripción ya está abierta para el programa de exploración Summer Stars!
Este programa GRATUITO se llevará a cabo los días de semana, de 8:30 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., del 5 de julio al 3 de agosto, para estudiantes de jardín de infantes a octavo grado.
El programa se centra en experiencias académicas, socioemocionales y de enriquecimiento no tradicionales para nuestros alumnos.
¡No pierdas la oportunidad de participar! ¡La exploración de las estrellas de verano es gratis! Puede encontrar información de registro en la página web de nuestro distrito escolar https://www.nred.org/article/1047760
Tenga en cuenta que las familias registradas serán seleccionadas por sorteo y notificadas de la ubicación por correo electrónico.
Chromebook Responsibilities
To ALMS Parents and Students,
As a Middle School student, you are required to come to school with your district-provided chromebook charged. The district-provided chromebook is also your responsibility; if it's in your backpack, locker, on a bus, or at home, you must keep it protected from being damaged or lost/stolen.
Please refer to the AUP and Device Loaner Form, which you have signed with your parent/guardian, and review the terms and conditions listed on the form both inside and outside of school. If you have not already signed the AUP and/or Loaner Form, please click on the link above.
To all parents/guardians, please speak with your child regarding Chromebook care and responsibilities. Some of the computers are damaged due to students spilling liquids, tossing them to the ground during recess, getting knocked around in a backpack, or dropping them. Damaged Chromebooks are subject to fees. You may want to consider purchasing a case as was indicated on the school supply list.
You can refer to our Acceptable Use Policy and Device Loaner Form (linked above) for the CSDNR policy.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
New Rochelle Special Education PTA (SEPTA)
Please see the links below for information about SEPTA
-New Rochelle SEPTA (English Version)
-New Rochelle SEPTA (Spanish Version)
NRSEPTA MEETING DATES
Zoom Link will be sent to all members. Dates are subject to change, All meetings start at 7:30pm
Thursday, April 20, 2023
WE ARE ONE DINNER, Thursday, May 4, 2023 6pm
Thursday June 15, 2023