January 12, 2018
Parent/Teacher Conferences Begin Wednesday, January 31st
Online Conference Scheduling System
 
Overview
The program is designed to be parent driven.  Parents are responsible for signing up for conferences and for informing Student Services if email addresses are changed. 
 
Features
  • Parents can signup at any time night or day.
  • Parents can see all the conferences they have signed up for.
  • Parents can remove themselves from a conference time-slot.
  • Parents cannot signup for a conference before a certain date and time (see date in cover letter) and cannot remove or make changes after a given date and time.
 
How to Scheduling Your Parent/Teacher Conferences
  1. Go to http://www.teeso.com/armstrong/ or go to school website and click on the following: 
Parents/Logins/Parent Teacher Conferences
 
  1. Login screen comes up.  Fill in:  Username - this is your email address, Password - this is your telephone number (without dashes).   It will be the telephone number that you have provided on the forms (if you don't have a home phone, try your cell phone number).  If you have forgotten your password, "Click here to get it emailed to you!" and it will be sent to you.
 
  1. Click the "Log Me In" button after entering your username and password.
 
  1. Follow prompts to your student's classroom and schedule yourself at any available time.
 
NOTE:  Be sure to click on the correct classroom for your child.  All rooms for each grade level will appear for each child.
 
If you have any difficulty accessing the online system for a conference, please contact Rhonda Orr [email protected]
Are You Ready For Summer?
 
Summer School and Summer Camp Registration Starts 
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
 
 
To secure your child's place, please complete the registration form through the link below. Armstrong families get priority registration for our summer program. Available spaces for current Armstrong students are filled on a first come, first serve basis (this includes receiving the registration form and payment on Smart Tuition) and are limited by class size. 
 
Any remaining available spaces after February 5, may be filled with non-Armstrong students.
 
 
 
 
Program Dates:
July 2- July 27, 2018,
with no school and no camp on July 4
Time:  
Morning Academic Program for rising 2nd-7th grade: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Note: classes may be combined based on enrollment numbers per grade level 
Afternoon Camp Program: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Tuition:  
Morning Academic Program for rising 2nd-7th grade: $2890
Afternoon Camp Program:$1730
You will be billed directly through SMART TUITION

*If you are currently awarded financial aid with Charles Armstrong, your child's summer school tuition will also be eligible for financial aid at the percentage rate of your current award.  If this applies to your family, please contact Madonna Uyenoyama in the business office at 650-592-7570 x1228 to assist you in calculating your summer school tuition payment. 


Armstrong's Summer School  provides students entering Grades 2 through 7 daily instruction in math and language arts remediation in addition to strength-based classes such as art, music, and dance. In small group language and math classes, teachers foster a supportive learning community that focuses on review and reinforcement of academic skills. Our program uses the same curricula and teaching methods that we employ during the regular school year. All classes are multi-sensory, and allow students the opportunity to gain confidence in a supportive and rigorous learning environment. Families have the opportunity to attend one parent-teacher conference at the end of the session.
 
Main components of the Morning Academic Program:
*         Community-building class meetings and assemblies
*         Small group language arts remediation with particular emphasis on spelling and decoding skills
*         Small group math instruction
*         One strength-based class (such as Art, Dance, Music, Stop-Motion Animation, and Cognitive Development)
 
Academics Overview
Small Group Language Classes
In the Grades 2 and 3, language arts classes follow the Fundations and Wilson Reading Systems. Both programs focus on phonological/phonemic awareness, phonics, and spelling. They serve as intervention programs to help reduce reading and spelling failure.
Language arts classes in Grades 4-6 follow curriculum from the Just Words, Wilson Reading System, and Language! Program by Voyager Sopris Learning. Just Words is a highly explicit, multisensory decoding and spelling program for students in grades 4-12. It encompasses a sophisticated study of word structure with explicit teaching of "how English works" for both decoding and spelling automaticity. Language! integrates reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, foundational skills, and spoken English.
In the 7th grade, language arts classes follow the Language! program.
 
Small Group Math Classes:
The small group math classes in the lower grades focus on review and strengthening of concepts, such as number sense, basic place value, addition and subtraction, and time and money. In the upper elementary grades, teacher focus on advanced place value, multiplication and division concepts, and fractions. Math in middle school focuses on fractions and decimals, numerical operations, and number theory. Math teachers use multi-sensory strategies and methodologies to support students' deep understanding of math.
 
If you need more information contact 
Note: classes may be combined based on enrollment numbers per grade level 


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:
January 15
  • MLK Day- No School 
January 16-19
  • Health Education 5th-8th Grade
January 19
  • 2nd Quarter Ends
January 22
  • 3rd Quarter Begins
January 25
  • Parents 7th Grade-HS Intro (8:30-9:30am)
January 26
  • Free Dress Day
  • ADHD Parent Group (8:30am-9:30am)
  • M.S. Dance (5:00-7:00pm)
January 31
  • Parent/ Teacher Conferences
February 1-2
  • Parent/ Teacher Conferences (No Classes for Students)

Join Student Council for our Winter Dance
Friday, January 26th
 
"Around the World"
 Friday, January 26th
5:00-7:00 PM
Entry: $5
 
Our winter dance "Around the World" will take place from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Armstrong Multi Purpose Room. All middle school students are invited and encouraged to attend. Entry is $5. Pizza and tacos will be available for purchase for $2, as well as snacks and drinks for $1 each. Photos will also be available for $1 each. 
Please contact Cindy Pistone
with questions.
Fourth Grade Band Performance
 
Find out what your fourth grader has been up to in band. Join us for small group performances the week of January 22nd from 8:15-8:45 in the music room. Please check with your child to find out their assigned day. Contact Cindy Pistone with questions. We hope to see you there!

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
    • 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.
    •  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
      •  Completed FY 2017 Federal Tax Return and all attachments
      •  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  [email protected]  or
650-592-7570, x1228



13th Annual Community Fundraiser
Save the Date!
Saturday, April 14, 2018
New Location this year:
Sportshouse in Redwood City
 
Patron Sponsor  information was mailed home this week.
 
Patron Sponsors
help underwrite event expenses and allow us to raise more funds to support our amazing Armstrong program and enjoy a variety of special benefits including:
 
  • Premier reserved event parking
  • Concierge auction service with no need to stand in line for check-out
  • Tickets to our Patron Party!
 
 
Our  Patron Party is a hands-on cooking class and dinner at Draeger's Cooking School in Menlo Park on Saturday, May 5, 2018.  The only way to get tickets for this adults-only private party is to become a  Patron Sponsor
 
Questions?  Contact Jill Jacobson at [email protected] or 650-592-7570 ext 1265

Armstrong ADHD Parent Support Group 
Please come join us!
 
Topic:  7th & 8th grade Armstrong Parent Panel will share their personal insights and wisdom about getting their ADHD child through school and home life.
 
 
Friday, January 26th
8:30a - 9:30a
Armstrong Library
Please RSVP to  [email protected]

Common Ground Speaker Series
 
Dr. Laura Markham
Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids
 
Tuesday, January 30, 9:30amThe Nueva School, Bay Meadows Campus
Tuesday, January 30, 7pmSaint Andrew's Episcopal School
Wednesday, January 31, 9:30amTrinity School
 
Stop yelling, punishments and timeouts. Dr. Markham shares how staying calm and fostering emotional connection with our children creates real and lasting behavioral changes, without threats, bribes, nagging, or punishment. Please arrive 15 minutes early to ensure seating for this event.
 
Videos:
Top 5 rules for raising Great Kids
 
Parenting Kids and bad Temper
 
Dr Markham's website:


Lower School Drama
 
If your lower school child is interested in drama, please review all mandatory practice times and dates (listed below). 
If your child can commit to the required rehearsals and performance dates, please click here
 to indicate which numbers they would like to perform in. Options include:
 
Be Our Guest,  singing and dancing as a fork or a spoon
The Mob Song , singing and dancing as a villager
Wolf Scenes, acting and movement during the wolf attacks of Belle's father and the Beast
 
If your child would like to be in more than one scene, please be sure to check all appropriate boxes. Drama sign ups WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY, JANUARY 22nd! 
Contact Cindy Pistone or Suzanne Springs with questions.
 
Rehearsals Times:
Rehearsals will take place during your child's lunch recess time and will begin the week of February 26th.
  • Mondays: Wolf Scenes
  • Tuesdays: The Mob Song
  • Thursdays: Be Our Guest
  • Fridays will remain open as a make up/extra help day.
 
Performance Dates:
  • Wednesday, May 9th tech rehearsal from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM at the theater. Students will be bused to the theater and back to school.
  • Friday, May 11th morning performance. Students will be bused to the theater and back to school.
  • Friday, May 11th evening performance. Students should be dropped off at 6:00 PM and picked up at 9:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 12th evening performance. Students should be dropped off at 5:00 PM and picked up at 8:00 PM.

Armstrong's Lower School Talent Show
February 16th, 2018

 
Join us on February 16th from 8:20-9:20 in the Armstrong Multipurpose room for the Lower School Talent Show. The talent show is an optional performance, please check with your child if they signed up. Contact Cindy Pistone or Suzanne Springs with questions. 

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 = [email protected]


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