Volume 37 | February 14, 2022

Monday Memo Memo del Lunes en Espanol (haga clic aquí)

Dear Alma families, Happy Frederick Douglass Day and Valentine’s Day! We hope the extra time this morning allowed for everyone to get out safely.    We want to hear feedback about you and your scholar’s experience at Alma del Mar this year! Our midyear Family Survey is open now, until Friday, Feb. 18th. On Friday, we will randomly select three survey participants from each campus to win a prize valued at $50+ so please be sure to take the survey as soon as possible! We have added some demographic questions so that we can make sure when looking at our data we are supporting families from ALL backgrounds. Take the survey!    There will be no school the week of February 21st for February Vacation Week. If you’re staying in town next week, remember to check out Free admission to the Buttonwood Park Zoo as part of Winter Camp with the Highland Street Foundation!

Free at-home COVID-19 test kits available for all scholars!

We are thrilled to share that over 65% of scholars and 90% of staff have opted in to our new COVID-19 at-home testing program! We strongly encourage you to fill out the form promptly to opt-in. In order to receive your scholars’ test kit on Feb. 18, you will need to opt-in by completing this form by 5pm on Feb. 17. Families can also opt-in at a later date if they choose, and will receive a test kit the following shipment. All scholars may participate in this program even if they have had COVID previously, including scholars who have tested positive for COVID within the past 90 days. Opt-In Here!

Enrollment Application deadline is Feb. 21st

We are still accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year! As a reminder, we hold a lottery every year to create a new waiting list for each academic year. Reminder about Sibling Applications - Applications must be submitted for siblings of current scholars. Families should submit a separate application for each sibling. When completing each application, families should write the name of their current Alma scholar inside the appropriate section of the application to ensure their siblings get preference in the lottery.  Applications are available in English and in Spanish at www.almadelmar.org/apply. The deadline for applications is Monday, Feb. 21 at 5pm.

Upcoming Events

Alma’s Afterschool Program starts today at our Douglass Campus and will run until 4:45 pm Monday-Thursday. All scholars being picked up from Afterschool Programming may be picked up at the front entrance unless they are eligible for the late bus (grades 6-8 only). Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 related staffing issues, we have decided to delay the return of our Ottiwell Campus Afterschool Programming until February 28th. Ottiwell Alma Family Advisory is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 15th from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Ottiwell Campus, 515 Belleville Ave. This will be an in-person meeting, and notes will be taken and posted for families unable to attend. Alma Family Advisory strives to facilitate and encourage parents' active and positive communication with the school, strengthen bonds between the school and the wider community, and inspire volunteerism of families in service of the school. All families of scholars who attend Alma are welcome to attend and should feel confident and comfortable sharing their views. A Spanish translator will be present.  Families Helping Families Parent Cafe returns this Saturday at 11 am! More details in the graphic below.  Douglass AFA is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4th from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Douglass Campus, 767 Church St. This will be an in-person meeting, and notes will be taken and posted for families unable to attend.

What's For Lunch?

Breakfast and lunch menus for each campus are posted on Alma's Facebook Page — the Sarah D. Ottiwell Campus posts menus by the month, and the Frederick Douglass Campus currently posts a new menu weekly. Each meal also includes milk, vegetables and fresh fruit.

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Boys' Summer Camp Opportunity for Alma Scholars!

Camp Pemigewassett (Pemi) is a sleep-away camp for boys ages 8-15, located in the foothills of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Since 1908, Pemi’s mission has been to inspire and support boys as they find their own paths in becoming self-reliant, caring, and engaged citizens of our diverse and ever-changing world. Boys at Pemi live simply in small and inclusive cabin groups of 6-10 boys each, plus two counselors. Pemi’s four main program areas – sports, wilderness trips, nature, and the arts – allow boys to have a fun-filled summer while stepping out of their comfort zones to challenge themselves and try new experiences, and they develop self-confidence, resiliency, and empathy as they go. Pemi boys and staff come from roughly 20-25 states each summer, as well as at least 4-6 different countries. Boys attend for either the full seven weeks or for one of our three-and-a-half-week sessions. To learn more, visit http://www.camppemi.com Financial aid and full scholarships are available - please contact Becca Kurie at beccakurie@almadelmar.org to learn more!

Girls' Youth Lacrosse in New Bedford this Spring!

SIGN UP FOR THE SPRING SEASON NOW! Looking for athletes (grades 4-8), whether beginner or experienced, in the greater New Bedford area who are looking to have fun, make friends, and learn new skills with a great spirited team! No experience necessary. Sticks and goggles are all you need! (available at Dick’s) $100 for the season and financial aid is available. Register at greaternewbedfordyouthlacrosse.com or call Program Director Mel Bride at 401-222-0215.

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!

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