December  08, 2017
 
Lower School Winter Program
50 Years of Armstrong
 

Please join our 2nd through 5th grade students on Friday, December 15, 2017 from 8:20-9:30 in the Armstrong Multipurpose Room for our Lower School Winter Program "50 Years of Armstrong".
 
We will be traveling back in time to the founding of our school and working our way through Armstrong milestones over the last 50 years. Each class has been assigned a decade and a song from that decade to help us celebrate. Students should plan to come to school dressed for their decade or song theme. See songs and decades below. Please note, Armstrong dress code applies and students wearing a skirt or a dress should wear leggings underneath.
 
Room 2: 1968, The Twist: Girls can wear capri pants, high neck shirts, or A-line dresses, pig tails or head-band. Boys can wear uniform pants, or dress pants, cardigan sweater, white button down shirt, or something of a similar fashion.
 
Room 3: 1970's, Joy to the World, Armstrong Boys and Girls: Large patterns, vibrant colors, 70's style.
 
Room 4: 2014, Pharrell's Happy from Despicable Me: Minion costumes such as blue jean overalls, blue jeans, yellow top.
 
Room 5: 2017, Thunder: Any variation of black and, or silver.
 
Room 7: 1990's, You've Got A Friend In Me from Toy Story: Boys can dress as Woody and girls can dress as Jessie; cowboy or cowgirl styles.
 
Room 8: Narrators/ Time Travelers: Students can choose accessories from various decades. All students should wear an Armstrong uniform shirt layered with a non Armstrong shirt on top (zip up sweatshirt, pullover or button up sweaters). Students will remove this shirt for the big reveal of our new uniforms and logos in a sure to be epic fashion show!
 
Room 9: 1980's Eye of the Tiger, Eye of the Cougar with Special Guest!: Sweatshirt and sweatpants.
 
Room 10: 1970's, Lean On Me: Large patterns, vibrant colors, 70's styles. Please note, students may bring a change of pajamas for their pajama day party following the Winter Program. For more information on the pajama day party, please contact Room 10 homeroom teachers.
 
Room 11: 1980's The Electric Slide, Armstrong Style: Bright, neon colors, 80's styles.
 
Please contact Suzanne Springs or Cindy Pistone with questions.

Middle School Talent Show

Please join us in the Armstrong Multipurpose room on December 15th from 11:20-12:30 for our 2017 Middle School Talent Show and the Seventh Grade Bear Shares. Please contact Cindy Pistone with questions.


After Care Parents:
There will not be after care on 
Friday, December 15, 2017.
Remember it's an early
dismissal day, please plan
pick-up accordingly.
Thank you!



ATTENTION PARENTS: 
 Please sign into Student Services prior to going to your child's classroom or anytime you're on campus. 
You are required to sign in at Student Services for safety reasons. 

Important Safety Reminder:
For the safety of our students, please remember they must
exit your car at drop-off only from the passenger side. 
Please  DO NOT
 use cell phones when driving onto campus. 



 Important Upcoming Dates:
December 15
  • L.S Winter Assembly (8:20-9:20am)
  • M.S. Talent Show (11:20-12:20pm)
  • Alumni Holiday Homecoming (10:30am-12:30pm)
  • 12:45pm Early Dismissal (L.S.)
  • 1:00pm Early Dismissal (M.S.)
  • Free Dress
December 18- January 1
  • Winter Break- No School
January 2
  • School resumes
January 5
January 12
  • Health Ed. Parent Info (5th-8th Grade 8:30-9:30am) RSVP: Nicholas Peruzzaro
  • M.S. Band Performance

Birthday Messages on the Marquee
 
If you'd like to recognize your Armstrong student on the birthday marquee you by completing this form and returning it to school.  All messages run for one week and say Happy Birthday First Name and Last Initial, (i.e. Happy Birthday Charlie A).  The cost is $25.  (The birthday message is on sale until December 15 th .  After that date, the next opportunity to purchase a birthday message will be at the Community Fundraiser in April.)  

Annual Fund

It is not too late to give to the Annual Fund.
Don't forget...all Annual Fund contributions support the current operating budget - YOUR CHILD will benefit from YOUR contribution.
As you consider your year-end charitable giving, please consider giving to Armstrong.
As you know, gifts made before  December 31 may be eligible for a deduction in the current tax year. Please know that the Development Office is closed for Winter Break  (Monday, December 18 - Tuesday, January 2) and our ability to process gifts during that period is limited.
During Winter break, to give
* with a credit card, visit
* mail your check to the school.
* To make a gift of securities or if you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Wolfe Funai, Director of Development, (650)592-7570 ext. 1206 or  cwolfefunai@charlesarmstrong.org  . She will be checking both during break and your call or email will be returned. 
Thank you so much for supporting our wonderful school!

Why should you give to the Annual Fund?   Tuition alone does not cover the cost of your students' Armstrong education.  Annual Fund donations help cover the difference.  This money goes to teacher salaries, classroom supplies, and professional development.  These dollars help us to keep class sizes low and offer a robust gifts and talents program. 
  
Why not simply raise tuition?
Raising tuition may discourage students who would benefit from attending Armstrong from applying, which impacts the whole community.  Like Armstrong, almost all independent schools rely heavily on annual fund drives to meet their operating budget. Contributions are tax-deductible while tuition payments are not.
 
How much should I give?
Only you can determine the right amount for your gift.  Families are asked to consider Armstrong a philanthropic priority and make a gift that is appropriate for their family.  All donations are equally appreciated. 
 
Questions?
Jill Jacobson at 650-592-7570 ext. 1265 or jjacobson@charlesarmstrong.org

 

13th Annual Community Fundraiser
Save the Date!
Saturday, April 14, 2018
New Location this year:
Sportshouse in Redwood City
 
The Auction Committee is getting organized for the Community Fundraiser on April 14, 2018 at the SportsHouse.  As you are shopping for the holidays please consider picking up one of these items from our Wish List:
  • A bottle of wine valued over $30
  • A gift card of any amount to any business.
  • Anything from our Wish List.  Click here to view our wish list.
Thank you!  Questions?  Contact Cheri Jaunich, Auction Chair, at 650-288-7518 or cjaunich@yahoo.com
 
Donations can be sent to school or dropped off at our Auction Table at the Winter Show and Talent Show.


 

 




Sports Corner:

Basketball - the sixth grade boys squad won their third straight game in their young season this week.  They got off to an uncharacteristicly slow start and only led at the end of the first quarter, 4 -2. Then they kicked it into second gear, opened up a fourteen point lead. They coasted the rest of the way, defeating Seacrest, 31- 17. They returned to the HMB school two days later but game results were not available at the time of this update.




The Seventh Grade Bears Have Found Their Home!
A Child Advocates representative picked up the books and bears on Tuesday, December 5 th . The Bear Book project is now complete, and the seventh-grade students are proud of the hard work and heart they poured into their stories. Thank you to all our families for their support!
A slideshow of the bears will be presented during the Talent Show on Friday, December 15th.



Armstrong Drama Updates

Middle School: We are excited to announce the cast for this year's production of Disney's Beauty and Beast Jr.  after school on Friday, December 15th. All cast members should come to the multipurpose room following dismissal for announcements and scripts. If your child will be absent on the 15th, they may pick up their scripts from on their last day of school prior to break. We will email home the cast list following announcements.
 
Lower School: If your child is interested in lower school drama, please complete the appropriate forms in Magnus Health labeled DRAMA STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR before Friday, December 15th. Contact Laura Fabela with questions regarding how to complete this.
 
This year lower school drama will be different than years past in that we will not be splitting students up by grade level but rather allowing them to choose which song they would like to be a part of. Options include: singing and dancing as various silverware in "Be Our Guest". Singing and dancing as villagers in "The Mob Song", or students may opt for a part that only involves movement as wolves. Rehearsals will begin in February, stay tuned for more information.
 
Volunteer Opportunities: Please consider signing up for a volunteer position using our Drama Sign Up Genius link below. We will begin reaching out to volunteers in January.
 

Financial Aid Applications for 2018-2019
Armstrong has a strong financial aid program which provides tuition assistance to over 25% of our students.  Financial aid grants are based 100% on need and we utilize a third-party software tool (SSS by the National Association of Independent Schools) to ensure we have an equitable and objective process.  All returning families applying for Financial Aid for the 2018-19 School Year must complete an application whether or not they are currently receiving financial assistance from Charles Armstrong School.  When completing the application online at SSS, please use the Charles Armstrong School Code of 2304 to access our school-specific application.
Financial Aid Application Calendar
  • By Friday, January 19, 2018
    • o   Complete Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online at www.sssbynais.org/parents. You can begin your PFS now using your best estimates when asked information about your 2018 income and expenses.
    • o   If you have not already done so, upload your FY 2016 Federal Tax Return including all attachments and W-2 forms and your 2017 W-2.  We will not review any files missing these required documents.
    • As soon as possible, upload the following documents to the SSSbyNAIS website
      • o   Completed FY 2017 Federal Tax Return and all attachments
      • o   Completed IRS form 4506-T
All forms and taxes must be submitted electronically to the SSSbyNAIS website.  Please note that divorced, separated, or never-married parents must each complete the PFS and submit tax documents.  All Financial Aid awards are provisional until the school receives all parts of the application including copies of 2017 taxes.
If you have any questions, please contact Madonna Uyenoyama, Business Office Associate at muyenoyama@charlesarmstrong.org or 650-592-7570, x1228

Attendance:
Please remember to phone in your child's absence to the Attendance Line at 650-592-7570 Option 1 by 9:00am each day your child is absent, going to be late, or out of the classroom for testing or vacation. Please State:
1) Child's Name
2) Child's Classroom
3) Reason for Absence

Lost & Found: 
Please write your child's name
and classroom # on all
sweatshirts and jacket!!
Each week the bin is emptied.
Labeled clothing is washed and
returned to the classrooms.
Clothing that is not labeled is
donated to the Uniform Bank.

After School Care 

The After School Care Coordinators are:
Jennifer Herrick, Meghan Jauregui & Patrick Hughes

Lower School Location:
 Armstrong Campus Library

Middle School Location: Room 20

Hours: 2:45-5:30 pm M,T,TH, & F
12:45-5:30 pm Wednesdays 

Contact Number: 650-730-6152

Team Teaching & Communications 
We ask that when you send an email to your child's teacher, please include all the teachers in your child's classroom. You can find their names in the class placement list emailed to you this summer or on WhippleHill. 

How to Email a teacher:
Use their first initial and  full
last name + @charlesarmstrong.org

How to Email teachers by room:
Example: all teachers in  room 4=
Room04Teachers@charlesa rmstrong.org

How to email teachers by grade level:
Example: all teachers in 7 th grade = 7thgradehomeroomteachers@charlesarmstrong.org


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