10/9/26 Bear Tracks

Posted Date: 10/09/26 (01:00 PM)

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October 9, 2026

Upcoming Dates

10/11 - 5:00 PM LASD Board Candidate Forum at Blach Intermediate School Auditorium

10/13 - 4:00 - 8:00 PM Grizzlies Around Town Community Dining at State Street Market

10/15 - 10:30 AM The Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill

10/16 - Walk or Wheel

10/16 - Wear Gardner Spirit Wear and School Colors Day!

10/16 - 9:00 AM Coffee with the Principal Topic: Our New Math Bridges Curriculum with Guests LASD Greg Drummond and 3rd Grade Teacher Laleh Rowhani

10/17 - Walkathon 9:00 - 1:00 PM

10/21 - School Picture Day

10/23 - 9:00 - 10:00 PTA Meeting

10/30 - 2:00 - 2:30 Halloween Parade

10/30 - 5:00 - 6:30 Fingerprinting at GB for Volunteer Clearance

10/30 - 5:30 - 8:00 PM Trunk or Treat

11/6 - 9:00 AM Coffee with the Principal

11/11 - No School Veterans Day

A Message from the Principal

Dear Families,

At last week’s Parent Coffee, I shared some results from our 3rd – 5th grade student survey, which I developed to hear directly from students as their new principal. When asked what my #1 priority should be, two closely connected school-climate themes rose to the top: How we treat one another - kindness, inclusion, belonging, friendships, and making sure students feel happy and supported - and physical and emotional safety. Together, 38% of students ranked these as their #1 priority for me - representing the largest share of responses.

One way we build a shared understanding of kindness, inclusion, and belonging is through our collective commitment to the teaching and learning from Project Cornerstone lessons.

A few weeks ago, I happened to pop in during a fifth-grade lesson launched from Capybara Is Friends with Everyone by Maddie Frost. Parent volunteers guided students in exploring healthy friendship boundaries, people-pleasing, and the different ways people connect. They then challenged students to apply these ideas to the digital world, including texting and messaging, and gave them interactive practice in how to set a boundary while still honoring a friendship. It was powerful to see students not only understand the concept, but rehearse the actual words they might use in a real situation. Practicing and rehearsing the language helps these lessons stick.

Throughout the year, I plan to highlight our Project Cornerstone learning in the Bear Tracks and encourage families to continue these conversations at home.

You might ask:

How can you be a good friend to someone who is different from you?
How can you tell when a friend might need some space?
How can you set a boundary and still be kind?
For our older students with devices: What might healthy boundaries look like when texting or messaging?

Click here for the Capybara Is Friends with Everyone parent letter for more info. And many thanks to our Project Cornerstone volunteers for the time and care you are giving to our students and school community this year!

Your Proud Principal,

Ellen

A Message From Our Librarian - Mrs. De Rego

Our Storybook Pumpkin Patch is coming at the end of October!

We are growing a storybook pumpkin patch in the Library again this year. Encourage your child to decorate a pumpkin to look like one of their favorite book characters and bring it to school October 19-23. No carved, cut or punctured pumpkins! Decorate with acrylic paint, permanent markers and add materials like yarn, buttons, etc. using glue or tape. Flyers with more information can be picked up in the office or library. Participation is completely voluntary.

A Special Assembly About Growth Mindset

We are excited to have Dr. Blake Brandes join our students on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 for a fun and engaging Growth Mindset presentation. Dr. Brandes is a TEDx speaker, America’s Got Talent contestant, and Marshall Scholar who has spoken to more than 500,000 students around the world. During the presentation, our students will learn valuable skills to help them overcome challenges and achieve their dreams!

Dr. Blake has written beautifully illustrated children's books to accompany his powerful message, and he is offering autographed copies to our students! You can order the books at the link below. Orders are due before October 21, 2026.

https://blakebrandes.com/product-category/books-family/

We’re looking forward to Dr. Blake’s visit! *Please note: 3rd Graders will not attend this assembly due to their Field Trip that day.

Double Your Impact With a Corporate Match

Did you know?

88 companies generously matched employee donations to LAEF last year. Increase the impact of your donation to the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF). Find out if your company offers corporate matching here and Apply for a Corporate Match if one is available to you.

LAEF’s Fall Fundraising Night is on October 27!

Can you help make some calls or send some texts to encourage other LASD parents to donate to LAEF this school year? Find out more, sign up, and ask your friends to join you for this good cause! Please make your own donation beforehand.

LASD Board of Trustees Candidate Forum

Four candidates are running for three seats on the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees. Join us to hear directly from all four candidates, learn about their priorities, and better understand the important role Trustees play in setting district policy, overseeing the budget, and making decisions that affect our schools.

Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Blach Intermediate School Auditorium, 1120 Covington Rd, Los Altos

Have a question for the candidates? Submit it in advance here: https://forms.gle/vjW7ZC3CafUEWySj8

Come learn more so you can make an informed choice when you vote.

LASD Student Art Showcase

We are excited to announce our annual LASD Student Art Showcase. This is an opportunity for any student from TK-8th grade to express themselves artistically with our community. Students are encouraged to submit a piece of artwork in the medium and theme of their choice following the guidelines in the advertisement above. Submissions will be accepted between 10/8 and 11/11, and the LASD Student Art Showcase will be on display at Covington Elementary on November 18th from 5:00-7:00 pm.

This event will be a celebration of student art and local artists, as well as an opportunity to enjoy an evening together as an LASD community.

Registration opens October 8th. Please use this google form to register. Registration closes on November 11th. Let's go, Grizzlies! I can’t wait to see what you create. Questions? kdickerson@lasdschools.org

A Note From Living Classroom

Living Classroom Docent Training

9:30am-12:30pm Mondays 8/31-10/19*

Los Altos School District iLearn Studio

201 Covington Road, Los Altos CA 94024

Do you like to connect kids with nature? Living Classroom is seeking volunteers to teach our fun nature-based lessons and help care for our school gardens. No experience necessary as we teach you everything you need to know. Please join us from 9:30am-12:30pm on Mondays 8/31-10/19* at the LASD iLearn Studio to train to become a volunteer docent (*no training on 9/7 - Labor Day). If Mondays don't work for you, please ask about our apprentice-style training option. If you are interested in helping to care for your school garden, please contact Living Classroom Garden Manager, Sandi Elefant. For questions or to RSVP for docent training, please email us at livingclassroom@lasdschools.org or call (650) 947-1103. Check us out at LivingClassroomLASD.org!