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PPS has cancelled all weekend activities.
Given the weekend forecast, PPS is canceling all activities, including athletics and Civic Use of Buildings permits, for Saturday, January 7 and Sunday, January 8. We will continue monitoring the forecast going into next week.
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A Message from Our Assistant Principal
 Happy New Year Alameda Community. Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to spend some extra time with my family and my loved ones due to our extra snow days and to get some serious relaxation and rest that was very much needed. As many of you know, I am working on my dissertation while also trying my best to be a great Mom and serving you as your AP. Like many of you, I find myself so caught up in the business of life that I forget to take care of myself and be wholly present with my loved ones. Over the break my son remarked that he doesn’t like it when I seem stressed all the time and I really took his comment to heart. As I think over my New Year’s resolutions (I always make some, I just can’t help it), I think about what I can actually commit to that will make a difference and bring value to my life and to the lives of those around me. I have some pretty serious goals that I want to accomplish such as writing my dissertation and training for a marathon, but I want to make sure that while I am doing all that I am also taking the time to enjoy the journey and not just the end goal. I am trying to focus on seeing the joy in the little things and hoping to be more in the moment.
As I think about joy, I think about the last year and a half at Alameda and all the little moments of joy that your children and this staff has brought me. I love standing at the door in the morning and greeting the students as they count down to the bell ringing because they are so excited to get into their class. I love that the teachers and I schemed to have the whole school sing Happy Birthday to Principal Lurie on his birthday when we were outside for a fire drill. I love all the handmade cards that your children give me and the thoughtful words and gifts that I have been given from many of you. I find so much joy in the daily interactions I get to have with you even if it is just a hello or a goodbye as you go to off to work after dropping your children off. I think of how much joy I get from walking into our classrooms and seeing our student work plastered all throughout the rooms and hanging from the ceilings. A few Mondays ago, after a particularly hard parenting moment in my own life, I walked into Alameda to be greeted by the dozens of hearts that the PTA had hung in the front hallway to celebrate our commitment to SOAR. Thank you for being my joy and making my days so rewarding. As we go into the new year, think about what brings you joy. Talk about it with your kids. Ask each other what we have joy and gratitude for. Together we can weave a narrative of joy and gratitude even when sometimes the world is bleak.
Every night when I sit down with my kids for dinner I ask them to share a highlight and a lowlight. We do both because it is important for all of us to hear about what brings each other happiness and what struggles we may have also had throughout the day. It is through this activity each day that I learn more about who my children are and what they experience when they aren’t with me. They also learn about me. What I value and what made me smile. In this way, we connect even when our lives seem to be rolling at fast forward on the roller coaster that is this world. I challenge you to find your own way to celebrate both the highs and validate the lows with your family and connect over those.
Thank you again for allowing me to share each day with your students. Happy New Year and Welcome Back.
Reminders
- The weather is frightful and appropriate clothing is a must. We go outside even when it is very cold; send jackets. On that note, check the lost and found frequently. The 5th graders bring in coats from the playground every day and they usually turn up.
- As many of you have been experiencing, it is cold and flu season. Please keep your child home if they are sick. We want everyone to stay happy and healthy in 2017!
- Parent Night for Families of our Students of Color: Please join us for a gathering on Tuesday, January 10th, from 6:30 to 8:00 in the Alameda Library. This is a time to discuss your family's experience at Alameda and help teachers and administrators better understand how to improve our school community in regards to race and equity. Paula DePass-Dennis, from PPS's Office of Equity and Partnerships, will be on hand to facilitate the meeting. Childcare will be provided in Room 115.
Sincerely,
Eryn Berg
AP, Alameda
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Wall of Wine (WOW!)
What in the world is WOW?
The Alameda Wall of Wine is a game of chance you'll find at the Alameda Starlight Auction on February 25! That evening, belly up to our booth and pay $20. Choose a bottle, any bottle. No peeking at the label! Will you score a rare vintage? Let the game begin!
So where does all this wine come from?
You. You are WOW!
Our goal is 100 bottles of wine donated by Alameda families! No plonk! Bottles must be valued $20 or higher. Drop off bottles in the office or if you have large quantities (yes, please!!!) contact us for pick up.
Please email Devani Scheidler at auctionwine@alamedaschool.org for more information.
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 Alameda's Lunchtime Organics Program Needs Your Help!
To keep food out of the garbage, students are separating food scraps from trash in the Alameda cafeteria. We need a parent volunteer each day to monitor the food-scrap bin to ensure no garbage is accidentally tossed in. Please consider signing up for a lunch shift - 11:20-12:45 - where you would stand in the cafeteria, near the trash and food bins, and help students by reminding them to put trash in the garbage and keep the food bin free of contaminants (i.e., "organics only").
For more information about Food Waste at Alameda please visit the Alameda website or contact Liz Erickson or the Alameda Green Team.
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A Call for Advertising Sponsors & Donations for the Alameda Auction
The Alameda Starlight Auction, Alameda's largest annual fundraiser to support staff positions at Alameda and the All Hands Raised Equity Fund, will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at the leftbank annex. We are looking for advertising sponsors at all levels ($250-$5,000) and donations of items and experiences for the silent and live auctions. If you can help with either of these, please download and complete a sponsorship form or an item donation form.
If you have any questions about how you can help support the Alameda Starlight Auction, please contact Katie Haraguchi at auction@alamedaschool.org.
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 Holiday Lights Recycling
Got a few bulbs out on those strands of tree lights? Replacing your outdoor display lights with LEDs? Looking for a place to unload your old string lights? The Alameda Green Team can help! Now through January 13th all string lights will be accepted for recycling. Look for the big box next to the glass display case in the school lobby.
Questions? E-mail greenteam@alamedaschool.org
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 Follow us on Facebook
In the past there have been multiple Facebook pages used by the Alameda community. Did you know that we now have just one? When you "like" the official Alameda Elementary Facebook page you'll be sure to get all the postings from our school, our PTA and our Foundation.
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SCRIP Tip: Use Gift Cards To Manage Your Grocery Budget
If you've set a New Year's resolution to stay on budget pre-paid gift cards can be a good way to help you manage your spending and stick to your plan! Alameda's SCRIP program offers a variety of grocery store gift cards or if you want the flexibility to shop at multiple stores with just one card you can purchase a prepaid VISA card. Every purchase via a SCRIP supports our school! |
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