October 30, 2020

Dear ALMS Community Members,

We hope you are enjoying the final October moments and that everyone is looking forward to an extra hour, on Sunday, when we turn the clocks back for the end of Daylight Savings.

It was amazing to welcome back our 8th grade students this week. They have matured so much since March, and did a great job adhering to the new expectations in place. We thank all of our families for working with us to complete the student weekly health screenings, and to ensure that children were arriving with a mask covering their nose and mouth. During our orientation sessions, we reminded students that they are being required to wear a mask (covering their nose and mouth) and not a beard (a mask that sits on the chin and exposes a person’s mouth and nose). It was a great week, and we are looking forward to welcoming back Grade 7 hybrid learning model students next week beginning on Monday with Cohort A students!

Here is this week’s community outreach:

Election Day Reminder:

There are NO CLASSES for students on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. We hope all registered voters will remember to exercise their right to vote and to have their voices heard.

7th Grade Hybrid Cohorts Start Next Week:

This Monday, 11/2/20, we will begin phasing in our 7th Graders in Cohort A’s hybrid learning model. Our 7th Grade Cohort B students will begin their in person phase-in beginning on Thursday 11/05/20. All 7th grade students will receive an orientation session and receive a tour to be introduced to our one-way directional hallways/stairwells. (To make it easy, we have all students reporting to their first period class, and will segue into the student orientation sessions and building tours after they have checked in with their Period 1 teachers).

Please remember, all students in Cohort A will need to have their weekly health screening completed no later than 11/2/20 at 7:00 am. We are requesting that all families fill out the health screening on Sunday evening. Families will receive the health screening via email and/or text message.

All students in Cohort B will need to have their weekly health screening completed no later than 11/5/20 at 7:00 am. We are requesting that all families fill out the health screening on Wednesday evening. Families will receive the health screening via email and/or text message. Here is a reminder from a previous outreach highlighting the weekly health screening expectations.

We suggest that 7th graders coming in for hybrid learning instruction take another look at their schedule to note the classroom numbers on their schedule. If possible, we also recommend that they write down their room assignments or print a copy of their schedule to have on their first day, whether it be on Monday (11/02) or Thursday (11/05). Students can find their schedule on the Home Access Center, which can be found by clicking this link.

We will be prepared to provide students with their schedules on Monday/Thursday in their respective house office (where their school counselor is located) if needed. (not to worry, and we got you covered!)

Reminder: ALMS “Blue Card” Emergency Contact & Medical Information

• If you haven’t already done so, please be sure to complete this emergency contact form and return it to us at your earliest convenience (please email completed forms to Ms. Girone at mgirone@nredlearn.org).
• You may also mail/drop off your emergency contact information when you come to pick up materials).
• We must have updated and current contact information for all ALMS students whether they are attending hybrid or fully virtual.
• We remind all families to please make sure they are including at least THREE emergency contacts in the event that we need to reach someone in a time sensitive manner.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund College Camp:

Albert Leonard Middle School has partnered with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to offer an exciting opportunity for ALL of our ALMS scholars and their families.

The HSF’s College Camp Series features free, bilingual, half-day, college preparation workshops held virtually in various time zones. The sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

The programs are designed to help middle and high school students – and their parents – prepare, plan, and pay for college. Breakout session topics include preparing for and applying to college, choosing a college that’s the right fit, writing a personal statement, researching financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and understanding the real cost of a college education.  Students and parents can choose to receive information in either English or Spanish.

Click here to see the Road To College Video presented by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

Important Upcoming Events:

• Saturday Number 7, 2020 - HSF College Camp - Central/Mountain Time Zone

• English Sessions: Register Here
• Sesión en espanol: Regístrese aqui

• Saturday, November 21, 2020 - HSF College Camp - Eastern/Atlantic Time Zone

• English Sessions: Register Here
• Sesión en espanol:Regístrese aqui

People of all ethnicities and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Registration is free, but will close when capacity has been reached. Secure your spot today!

October’s ALMS Guidance Newsletter is Available!

Guidance Newsletter

Click here to see the latest version of The ALMS Guidance Newsletter.

We also invite you to review this presentation from our Student Support Services Team.

Wednesday Bell Schedule (reminder):

Please note that Wednesdays are Virtual Half-Days that conclude at 11:31am. Please see the bell schedule below for 11/4/2020:

Upcoming Grade Level Webinars:

We will be planning live sessions for each grade level, in the next couple of weeks. ALMS Community Members will have the opportunity to have any of their grade/content-specific questions answered.

Please know the sessions will take place via a zoom meeting and we will provide advanced notice for folks to plan ahead. Click here to review a previous email with additional details.

Headphones/Earbuds:

We ask that students make sure to bring a set of headphones / earbuds for virtual learning and while in school for the hybrid learning model.

• Students CAN use wired headphones and should consider keeping the more expensive wireless headphones at home.
• It is very difficult and upsetting for kids if/when they lose one of their air pods.
• Our school personnel are not able to turn their efforts into search and find missions of recovery.

Please see an email sent to students inviting them to participate in a STEM program being facilitated by New Rochelle High School students. For further information, you may contact foundation@newroscience.org

Halloween Weekend Safety:

With tomorrow being Halloween, we remind those participating in any activities to stay safe and remember to continue practicing social distancing. Here are some guidelines from the CDC that may be of assistance as you finalize your weekend planning.

We hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween weekend! And we wish you all a wonderful start to the new month as we welcome November (Gratitude Month) on Sunday.

Sincerely,

John Barnes, Matt Lucero, Chris Salinas

The ALMS Administrative Team

ALMS Social Media:

Please remember to follow ALMS on Twitter and Instagram - @ALMSNewRo