Mustang News
Strength lies in differences, not in similarities. -S. Covey
November 3, 2020
Dear Alamo Families,
As we head towards Thanksgiving, we must remember to be thoughtful about talking to our children about Thanksgiving and the holiday history. There are many traditional stories that we hear around this holiday. The information learned can inform how we think about Native communities throughout our lives. We want to ensure our children understand, in developmentally appropriate ways, the truth of our country.
An NPR article from November of 2018 explains:
A recent study on perceptions of Native Americans showed that many don't think about the issues of Native communities at all. In the study, 62 percent of people surveyed said that they were unacquainted with Native Americans, and most underestimated the degree to which Native Americans experience discrimination. As a result, people tend to rely on stereotypes of Native Americans as noble or savage warriors or more cartoonish representations of Native Americans as mascots.
Incomplete representations of Native Americans in history books tend to reinforce those stereotypes and myths. The first Thanksgiving story is one of the more well-known examples of how Native perspectives are excluded or misrepresented in academic materials.
As we celebrate this holiday season, let's embrace our differences!
Kindly,
Principal Salazar
Please support our school librarian's DonorsChoose Project
“Our student body is so kind, compassionate, and inquisitive. It is a pleasure to work with them in so many ways. I am excited to introduce this wide selection of books that teach about and celebrate so many cultures. I am so fortunate to be able to get to know them all! We have a school full of some very eager readers, and I always enjoy matching students with that perfect book!" - Mrs. Wehrley
Donations to this project are now being matched, thanks to support from Chevron.
https://www.donorschoose.org/project/culturally-responsive-reading-for-all-s/5253517
Important Dates
November 3 Election Day
November 4-17 Food Drive
November 5 Board of Education Workshop & Town Hall (see PTA below)
November 6 Crazy Hair Spirit Day
November 6 Parent Declarations - District Office Email to Parents
November 9 PTA Principal Chat (see PTA below)
November 10 School-Wide Distribution Day
November 11 Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
November 12 Square Art Upload Due
November 13 Parent Declaration Due
November 17 PTA Family Reading Night
November 18 Picture retake/makeup day - more info to follow
November 23-27 Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
2020-21 Instructional Calendar Board REVISED due to COVID (Posted 08/04/2020) (PDF)
Mustang Broadcast
This week's broadcast. Great job Owen (5th), Edward (3rd), and Eloise (2nd)!
Alamo Education Fund
Dear Alamo Families,
Last week was our restaurant giveback evening at Chipotle. We want to thank all the families who participated in this event. We sincerely apologize for any frustration caused by Chipotle’s ordering process. Fortunately, your time and effort did make a difference! We raised $398.72 and during these financially trying times for the Ed Fund, every little bit helps. Thank you again for taking the time to support the children at Alamo School.
Don’t forget….It is Time to Upload Art!
This is a chance to see your kiddos’ incredible artwork on all sorts of products and keepsakes. You may have seen some of their recent masterpieces from Art class with Mrs. Berkowitz - don’t miss a chance to memorialize these childhood memories with special keepsakes for you and family!
1. Child chooses 1 of their 3 pieces of art to use for the fundraiser.
2. Go to https://shop.square1art.com/Shop/upload?rkc=101459
3. Take a screenshot of the art with a smartphone or iPad.
4. Upload by November 12th
*You can also submit artwork by your other children, as long as it is on the same size paper as the special art paper that was sent home. Orders are due Nov. 13. Keepsakes will be mailed directly to families to arrive approximately Dec. 9th. More information, upload, and order here:
https://shop.square1art.com/Shop/customer/myart
Alamo School Quilts by Grade:
One unique quilt per grade will be available and auctioned off at this year’s Alamo Ed Fund online silent auction (March 8-16th), benefiting programs at Alamo School. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
Your kids draw and decorate the template by grade theme at home (markers work best). Find the template, themes by grade and more info at:
https://aes-srvusd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1542443343217/1566630888901/4725248010839425620.pdf
(copy and paste into the browser)Snap a pic and email it by November 20 to liz@givequiltlove.com with YOUR TEACHER NAME AND GRADE LEVEL in the subject line.
Quiltlove does the rest to create a custom stitched quilt representing each grade!
Questions? Contact Alamo Ed Fund Quilt Chair Laura Prentiss at prentiss.laura@gmail.com or Liz Coyle at Quiltlove at liz@givequiltlove.com. If you would like to see a few examples, please visit https://givequiltlove.com/our-quilts/
Call for Silent Auction Donations!
We are looking for new product donations from your businesses, closets, cabinets, garages and hearts! Please make a difference and donate to Alamo’s Online Silent Auction which will be held March 8 -16, 2021! Donations accepted through Feb. 18, 2021. We will not have a gala this year, so this is a very important source of fundraising. Our other main sources of fundraising this year are Annual Giving (You can still donate at aes.futurefund.com), Corporate Match (if you have questions, please contact alamoschooleducationfund@gmail.com.), and Square 1 Art. For questions, email Alamo School Online Auction at alamoschoolonlineauction@gmail.com. Or donations can be entered at:
https://alamoedfund.schoolauction.net/auction2021/donate_items/new
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with Ed Fund News by visiting us on Instagram @alamoedfund
For all Ed Fund news and events: https://aes-srvusd-ca.schoolloop.com/edfund
Questions: Email alamoschooleducationfund@gmail.com
Square 1 Art
PTA
Thank you to all staff and students who participated in the Halloween Parade on Friday! It was so wonderful to see all the kids and teachers in costume!!! Thank you to all who donated and thank you to Anji Kobayashi for helping hand out goodie bags! We had a great time!
PLEASE NOTE: The Principal Chat with Principal Salazar has been rescheduled to November 9 @ 6:30pm so she can provide us with the latest information regarding Declarations and Reopening. Zoom details HERE and on Facebook Parents of Alamo School Facebook page.
SCOUTING FOR FOOD November 4 -17 Help support the Contra Costa Food Bank and Alamo Cubscout Pack 53 in our Annual Food Drive. Barrels will be in front of the school as well as the following houses: 191 Bolla Ave, Alamo - 2270 Trotter Way, Walnut Creek and 357 Canterbury Court in Stonegate. The Food Bank is desperate for the following:
Peanut Butter
Whole Grain Cereals
Hearty Soups
Beans and Lentils (dried or canned)
Canned Tuna and Chicken
Canned Fruit in Juice
Canned Chili and Ravioli
Canned Vegetables
Brown Rice
Whole Wheat/ Grain Pasta
Canned Tomato Products
Save the Dates!
Help for Decision Making Board Workshop/Town Hall Thursday, November 5 at 4:30pm. Watch HERE
Principal Chat with Principal Salazar has been rescheduled to November 9 @ 6:30pm. Zoom details HERE
Family Reading Night is November 11 @ 6:30pm Check Facebook and upcoming Mustang News for Zoom Details.
Learning Challenges, Behavior & Distance Learning
Tuesday, November 10 | 6:30 pm, PST
Adding “distance” to “learning” has created yet another barrier for students, especially those with learning and behavior challenges. Not to mention the stress it causes parents trying to manage work, home and school under one roof.
Attend this webinar to learn strategies to better understand your child’s behavior and support them when they become unmotivated, frustrated, disengaged, defiant or depressed. Our expert presenters, Jody Miller, MEd, BCBA, Head of Esther B. Clark (EBC) Schools at CHC and Sarah Knepper, MEd, Academic Program Manager at EBC, have managed both remote and in-person learning for students with serious behavioral and emotional challenges. They truly “get it,” and look forward to sharing their advice with you.
Upcoming Religious Observances
SRVUSD Board Of Education
About Alamo
Email: ghughey@srvusd.net
Website: https://aes-srvusd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Location: 100 Wilson Road, Alamo, CA, USA
Phone: 925-855-4800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/142092245882817/
Twitter: @AlamoMustangs