LASD Board Highlights

Almond Elementary School has implemented a comprehensive community service program that emphasizes character development and student leadership. The program is particularly focused on developing 6th grade students as leaders while fostering five core values: being responsible, kind, helpful, cooperative, and empathetic. These values are reinforced through active participation in various service activities that benefit the school community. Proud Principal Raquel Matteroli and 6th grade teachers Rachel Gassner and Kathy Day-Bobb introduced four students who presented about this program. The student presenters, Stephanie, Michelle, Ariana, and Eloise, including the school mascot, did a phenomenal job.

The program offers diverse service opportunities that allow students to engage in meaningful ways. Students use teamwork and service learning to make really strong connections with other students. Activities include the Ball Room, where students help manage equipment and activities; Gaga Ball, which teaches students to referee and participate actively in games; and Lunch Club, which involves supervising younger students during activities like arts and crafts, playing with Legos, and making slime. Additional opportunities include the DJ Club, Student Council, Welcome Wednesdays, Helping Hands, and Eagle Flyers.

Data tracking shows impressive student participation across trimesters. In Trimester 1, students contributed a total of 227 service hours, with the majority (68%) completing between 3-4.5 hours of service. Trimester 2 data indicates growing engagement, with students taking on more service hours and showing increased commitment to the program.

The program's success is evident in its connection to the Character Strong initiative, which helps students develop important life skills. Students learn valuable lessons about time management, responsibility, and empathy for teachers' work. They also gain experience in handling challenges, such as working with younger students who are still developing listening skills, ensuring rule compliance, and balancing service commitments with personal time.

Perhaps most significantly, the program creates a strong sense of community within the school. Sixth graders become role models for younger students, while teachers benefit from additional support that allows them to focus more on instruction. Student testimonials reflect the program's positive impact, with both older and younger students expressing appreciation for the opportunities to lead and contribute to their school community. The program effectively prepares students for continued community service involvement as they advance to higher grades, fostering a lasting commitment to civic engagement.

The initiative demonstrates how structured service learning can create meaningful connections between students of different grades while teaching valuable leadership skills and reinforcing positive character traits. Through this program, Almond Elementary is successfully building a culture of service and responsibility that benefits the entire school community.

Superintendent McGonagle’s update for the evening included the comprehensive steps the district has taken to address immigration-related concerns within the LASD community. Through coordinated efforts with principals and school secretaries, they have developed and implemented clear protocols to support community members who may have concerns about their immigration status.

These protocols include training for office staff, principals, and teachers focused on specific policies and procedures to follow if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials were to arrive on campus. To ensure transparent communication, LASD has distributed a letter to families and updated the website with valuable immigration resources.

Principals are actively engaging in conversations with students to address any concerns they bring forward. The overarching goal is clear: ensuring that students feel absolutely safe at school. This commitment to student safety and security remains at the forefront.

The Los Altos School District Board of Trustees has passed a resolution to change the observance date of Lincoln's holiday for the 2025-26 school year. While Education Code 37220(a) specifies a particular date for Lincoln's holiday, subdivision (e) permits school boards to modify the observance date through an official resolution. The Board has determined that observing Lincoln's holiday on February 17, 2026, will minimize the impact on both student attendance and the district's budget. This change has been formally adopted into the 2025-26 school year calendar.