Volume 09 | April 12, 2021
Monday Memo
Memo del Lunes en Espanol (haga clic aquí)
Alma Families,

The day is finally here! We are thrilled to welcome our 3rd-5th grade scholars back in person. The joy in each classroom is infectious as scholars and teachers reunite and begin to build community in person. Many thanks to all of you, our Alma families, for your patience, partnership, and commitment to health and safety throughout our reopening. In just a few days, we will part again for April Break, after which we will welcome back our 6th-8th graders. We are wishing all staff families a week of well-deserved rest and relaxation before we enter into the final stretch of this unprecedented school year. Onward!
 
In Service,
Kaitlin Goldrick & Taylor DeLoach
Happening This Week
FREDERICK DOUGLASS CAMPUS only: Families of 6th-7th grade scholars returning for in-person learning are invited to attend a Family Zoom meeting at 5 pm on Thursday, April 15th. This will be a time for families to get information and ask questions about Middle School reopening at Fisher College.

A friendly reminder that next week, April 19-April 23, is April Vacation week and there will be no school. We will return to a normal in-person schedule the following week, beginning Monday, April 26th.

We have updated the 2020-21 school year calendar to reflect our reopening plans. You may find the revised calendars by clicking on this link.
Thank you to all who donated your gently used uniform items.
Families Helping Families was able to supply 65 scholars so far with needed uniforms for back to in person learning! If you’re having a hard time obtaining uniforms contact Marie Tavares or to donate drop at the main office of your campus during school hours.
Academic Update
Throughout remote learning, we were sure to preserve our co-curricular program for all scholars in Grades 3-8. Depending on grade and campus, scholars have had PE, Art, Music, Computer Skills, Portuguese, and/or STEAM class every day! Here are some recent assignments across content areas: 

Portuguese: Ask your Ottiwell 3rd-8th grader to share some animal names and colors in Portuguese! 
STEAM: Ask your Douglass Middle Schooler to share their App idea -- What inputs does it need? What outputs? What type of processing will it use? 
PE: Ask your Ottiwell K-2nd grader about dodging, fleeing, and chasing! If you are in a tag game, who is the dodger? Who is the chaser? 
Art: Ask your K-1st grader about their clay Imaginary Friend! What did they learn about Jooyoung Choi’s imaginary friend artwork?
Art: Ask your Ottiwell 3rd-8th grader about their MONSTER. Was their monster a positive or negative omen? How did they use value, patterns, and different types of shape in their design?
What's For Lunch?
Below is the current school week menu for all Alma scholars! Each meal also includes milk, vegetables and fresh fruit. Click here to view next week’s menu!
Nurse's Note
It is still important for your child to go to their annual physicals! Please send in their most recent physicals to the school nurse if you haven’t already done so! Please fax your scholar's records to 774-202-5115.

Massachusetts is ramping up distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine — learn more about your eligibility and sign up for updates here!
Essential Workers
COVID-19 Corner
As we return to in-person learning, please ensure that you are following the Massachusetts Travel Advisory, recently updated on March 22nd. Please see that document for details. Headline: make sure you are clear on when you are *fully vaccinated* because at that point you are exempt from following the travel policy. 
 
New Bedford is red, with an average daily incidence rate per 100,000 (last 14 days) of 36.2 up from 31.4 last week. The percent positivity has also slightly increased from 5.16% to 5.76%.
Alma Community Spotlight
Ms. Lourdes Gonzalez
First Grade Lead Teacher at our Frederick Douglass Campus
Ms. Gonzalez has been a part of the Alma del Mar community since the very beginning. 

“My husband worked closely with Mr. Gardner when he was still planning for the school and meeting with families across New Bedford. I just had to get involved. I applied for the office manager role, and was shocked when Mr. Gardner called me and offered me the job. Since then, I have been blessed to be a part of Alma. We are one big family. I am still so grateful I got involved all those years ago. I am so proud of what we have done and continue to do!”

Ms. Gonzalez was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New Bedford at the age of 12. She graduated from New Bedford High School with honors in 1991 and continued her education. She holds a Degree in Theology from International Seminary in Florida and today is a Licensed Minister and the Co-Founder of Thy Kingdom Come Church in New Bedford. Lourdes has obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Education. For the past 30 years, she has worked with the Kids Church Ministry, Youth Ministry and Women Ministry. She has also received the Hispanic Recognition Award for her community service in New Bedford.
How are you planning to spend your vacation week next week?
Spring cleaning!
Safe day trips with the family!
Relaxing at home.
Traveling safely.
Don't miss a thing!
Be sure to follow Alma at the links below to stay up to date on all the latest news and join us in celebrating scholar achievement throughout the school year!