January 25, 2019
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
January 30
  • Parent /Teacher Conferences
  • Early Dismissal L.S. (12:45PM)
  • Early Dismissal M.S. (1:00PM)

January 31- February 1
  • Parent/ Teacher Conferences- No School for Students

February 5 - February 8
  • Drug Education- 7th & 8th Grades

February 8
  • 8th Grade Parent Meeting (8:30-9:30am)

February 11
  • Parent Ed- Overview of M.S. (8:30-9:30am)

February 15
  • L.S. and M.S. Talent Show
  • Free Dress
  • Early Dismissal L.S. (12:45PM)
  • Early Dismissal M.S. (1:00PM)

February 15 - February 19
  • February Break- No School
Common Ground Speaker Series: Three January Events
Changing Bodies, Changing Times: Laying the Groundwork for Healthy Relationships
Justine Fonte
Tues. Jan 29, 9:30am • The Nueva School, Bay Meadows Campus
Wed. Jan 30, 9:30am • The Harker School, Middle School Campus
Wed. Jan 30, 7:00pm • Woodside Priory
Explore the skills children and teens need to develop healthy relationships in today’s world. Topics include the changing dynamics of love, desire, and consent, as well as the importance of talking frankly with kids about the psychological and social impact of pornography.  More info and register .
"Anxiety in Children with Dyslexia: How to Help" Video
Dr. Robert Hendren, Co-Director of the UCSF Dyslexia Center was a guest speaker at a parent coffee on 1/ 11/2019. His topic was "Anxiety in Children with Dyslexia : How to Help"
Click here to view his presentation
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers needed! Please consider helping out at Art Recess on Mondays and Tuesdays or assisting our Librarian any day after drop-off, and of course, helping to make our upcoming Community Fundraiser a success. All sign ups are to be found here: 


Parent Teacher Conferences:
Wednesday, Jan. 30th  - Early Dismissal as usual, conferences begin at 1:30pm
Thursday, Jan. 31st  - School is closed for students, conferences start at 7:30am
Friday, Feb. 1st  - School is closed for students, conferences start at 7:30am

Please review the conference scheduling directions below. If you have any difficulty in scheduling, please contact Rhonda Orr at [email protected] , Laura Fabela at  [email protected]  or Barbara Thayer at  [email protected] .
 
After School Care  is available on January 30 th  when there is early dismissal at 12:45pm/1:00pm and on January 31st - February 1st only during your conference time. Students will be allowed to be in After School Care free of charge during the time of your scheduled conference.   However, we cannot accommodate siblings during the conferences .
 
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.
 
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.
  2. Click the “Log Me In” button after entering your username and password. 
  3. 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.
Financial Aid Application
2019-2020
Armstrong has a strong financial aid program which last year provided 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 2019-20 School Year must complete an application whether or not they are currently receiving financial assistance from Armstrong. We review every family’s information confidentially and carefully.  If your income or assets have changed from the prior year, you may expect a change in the financial aid for which you qualify. 
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 Monday, January 28, 2019
  • Complete Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) online at www.sssbynais.org/parents.
  • If you have not already done so, upload your FY 2017 Federal Tax Return including all attachments and W-2 forms and your 2018 W-2(s).  We will not review any files missing these required documents.
  •  As soon as possible, upload the following documents to the SSS by NAIS website:
  • Completed FY 2018 Federal Tax Return and all attachments
  • Completed IRS form 4506-T
All forms and taxes must be submitted electronically to the SSS by NAIS 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 2018 taxes. 
If you have any questions, please contact Madonna Uyenoyama, Business Office Associate at  [email protected] or 650-592-7570, x1228.
January/February Digital Citizenship Theme: 
Appropriate & Safe Communication
Appropriate & Safe Communication: Big Ideas for Students

  • There are many online tools that people use to communicate with each other (including social media, email, gaming platforms, messaging platforms, etc.)

  • When you are sending messages online, you need to be respectful and kind, just like when you are talking to a person face-to-face.

  • You should not send private information (your full name, your address, your school, etc.) in an online message. If you are confused, ask a trusted adult for help.
More Resources for Parents:
 
 

Armstrong is having a
Film Festival!
The Festival will allow students to practice their cinematography skills in creating an original short video. Students can create a video as part of a class project in school, or they can create it at home. Regardless of where they choose to make their film, all student filmmakers must have a teacher sponsor and follow submission requirements.  All films are due on Friday, February 15.  Films will be judged by a faculty and staff panel and we will celebrate festival winners and all participants in an “Oscars-style” ceremony during a school assembly. For more information contact Ms. Lewis .

Armstrong Has Talent!
The long-awaited Talent Show returns!
Feb. 15 th !
Lower School 8:30 – 10:00  
Middle School 11:30 – 12:30

Don’t miss the fun performance opportunity!

For sign up and talent act information, click on this link:
 
 
 
Feel free to contact Ms. Pistone and Miss Springs with any questions.
Community Fundraiser
A Night Out for the Entire Family
California Academy of Sciences
Saturday, March 2, 2019
6:30 PM to 10:30 PM

  • Access to the entire Academy
  • Live and Silent Auction
  • Dinner and Spirits
  • Wine Pull
  • Sneak Peek of Disney's High School Musical, Jr. drama production
  • Dive Show
  • Raffle
  • Family Dance
  • Planetarium Show

Event Tickets are on sale now. Prices increase as we get closer to the event. Buy your tickets early for the best price.

Ticket Prices

Youth (age 2 to 18)  $35.
Alumni (under age 30)  $35.
Adults  $70.
Children (under 2)  FREE
Prices go up on February 4 so buy your tickets now.


Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Invited?
The entire Armstrong Community and their guests, both youth and adults are invited. The evening is designed for current students and their families, alumni and their families, faculty and staff and their families and everyone is welcome to invite their friends who might enjoy this gathering. Of course, siblings, grandparents, friends from former schools, perspective families, and neighbors are invited.

Are food and beverages included in the ticket price?
The event does not include a formal sit down dinner, but there will be buffet stations to satisfy most everyone, including students.  We will have vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The entire menu is nut-free. Both spirits and non-alcoholic beverages are included.

Will all of the Academy of Sciences exhibits be open that night? 
Yes, all of the Academy's exhibits will be open for you to explore.

Is this a Black Tie event? 
No. The setting is relaxed and family friendly.

What should I wear?
Casual attire is encouraged. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended.

I bought tickets already. How do I get my actual tickets?
There are no physical tickets for this event. Simply give your name at the door when you arrive and we will check you in.

Can I buy tickets at the door?
Sorry, NO. We need an advance count for the museum and caterer. And the ticket prices go up as we get closer to the event so buy your tickets early for the best price.

Where Should I Park?
The underground parking garage will be open. Parking is a flat rate of $17 in the evening. Golden Gate Park is less crowded in the evening and street parking is also available.

Need Help?

Event Team: Cynthia, Jill, Christine, and Ruby


"Stuffies" Needed for Auction Item!
Dear Families,
We are working on a surprise item for this year’s auction involving stuffed animals (or as we call them, “stuffies”). Please have your child bring in a stuffie — small to medium size — that they are willing to donate to the music room. Please do not bring in items that hold meaning, or that your child may be upset to say goodbye to. Throughout music classes, students will sing for, dance with, perform for, meditate with, and enjoy learning with the Music Room Stuffie Crew! Have your child bring in their stuffed animal any time between now and February. In February, all stuffed animals will be collected to create our awesome auction item!
 Thank you!
SPORTS CORNER:
Basketball - - 
  Lower School:  The fourth / fifth grade teams wrapped up their successful seasons recently. The girls squad won this past Monday 11-10, to win their second consecutive contests. Obviously they went wild when the final buzzer went off!! Their male counterparts finished a week earlier playing the first place team. The boys won two of their final three games to finish with a 4-4 record.
 
Their attentions will now turn to soccer, playing in Armstrong’s intramural season. The schedule willbe available in about two weeks.
 
Middle school:
 
The 8 th  grade boys got knocked out of the playoffs when Hausner came thru with a victory. All other boys squads have concluded their seasons.
 
So now, it’s the girls turn. The 8 th  grade girls basketball team start on Jan 28 th  vs. Wornick, while the 7 th  grade get going the next day, Jan 29 th   3PM vs. Synapse at Sportshouse. Schedules should be picked up from the coaches; you can also check on Whipple Hill.
 
Our newly formed soccer team kicks off their season on Tuesday, Jan 29 th  taking on Sea Crest at Cunha, in Half Moon Bay at 3:45 PM.
 
Wrestling : Info coming out soon.
 
 
ATTENTION FAMILIES:
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.
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:
Michelle Curran,
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:
In support of the teaming initiative at Armstrong, 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 from the class placement list emailed to you
this summer.

How to Email a teacher:
Use their first initial and  full
last name [email protected]

How to Email teachers by room:
Example: all teachers in room 4=

How to Email teachers by grade:
Example:  [email protected]