ALA Fall 2015 Back to School Newsletter
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Transcript of ALA Fall 2015 Back to School Newsletter
Enrich * Empower * Educate
Armenta Learning Academy Achieving Excellence Through Education
Back to School Newsletter Fall 2015
Volume 2, Issue 2
Armenta Learning Academy
27665 Forbes Road, Suite #201
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 367-WISE (9473) phone
(949)433-0898 cell
www.armentalearningacademy.com
Welcome Back To Armenta School!
ARMENTA AT ITS BEST
Every child has an opportunity to succeed with a curriculum custom-ized and tailored to each students’ needs, interests, talents and learning styles. We tailor hours, instructional tools, and curriculum to meet each student and their abilities and tap into each student ‘s maximum poten-tial through individualized attention. Students of various backgrounds, strength and challenges from Pre K to Adult benefit from our small class sizes and approach. 98% of families show our curriculum and teaching has improved their child’s learning experience to a successful outcome and are completely satisfied with our programs and the results! Our graduates have been accepted in top ranking universities in all states and achieve the highest test scores on SATs, ACTs and all standardized and content based tests. We build a solid foundation for students to be happy and confident for the real world, not only with academics, but also life! We ENRICH ~EMPOWER ~EDUCATE and engage in excel-lence! Armenta offers instructional programs for all levels; from special needs to gifted and talented students!
We Offer Amazing Educational Programs for All Ages and All Needs!
♦6:1 Ratio Schooling/1:1 Opportunities
♦Early High School Graduation/Gifted and Accelerated Studies
♦Grade Levels Raised 2-3 Years in one School Year
♦Individualized Program to Meet Child’s Needs, whether Gifted or Special
♦Multisensory Approaches to Learning In-cluding LINDAMOOD-BELL
♦Highly Qualified Staff-Credentialed or 20+ Years Experience Working with Children: Pre K-Adult Ed.
♦Student Evaluation/Assessments, Weekly Updates/Quarterly Progress Reports
♦Experience with A.D.D, A.D.H.D., Develop-ment Delay Asperger's, Autism and more and we offer family support and classes
♦Small Group or 1:1 Tutoring
♦At Home/Offsite Tutoring
♦Correspondence with Student’s Teachers & Parents
♦Comfortable Environment Where Kids Can Learn & Take Risks
♦Daily Communication with Parents
♦Classes for Credit to Get Ahead or Catch Up
♦Year-Round Prep for Students for a Success-ful School Year.
♦Study, Time Management and Test Taking Skills Classes Available
♦Workshops: SAT, SAT II subject tests, CHSPE, ACT, GED.
♦ESL/Foreign Language/Sign Language
♦Counseling/Mentoring for All Ages
♦Volunteer/Internship Programs
♦Armenta Angels Outreach Program
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Calendar of Events ........ 2
Back to School Safety .... 3
Staff Biographies .......... 4
Kinder Readiness .......... 5
Standout Students ......... 6
Social Skills Classes ....... 7
Armenta Pet Academy .. 8
ARMENTA HIGHLIGHTS
• Armenta Events
• Success Stories
• Summer Fun Photos
• Armenta Flashback
CALENDAR 2015-2016
LABOR DAY (Legal Holiday) Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 OPENING DAY OF SCHOOL Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 End of First Progress Reporting Period (High School) Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 End of First Quarter (Middle School) Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 End of First Reporting Period (Elementary) Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 VETERANS DAY (Legal Holiday) Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015 End of Second Progress Reporting Period (High School) Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 THANKSGIVING RECESS Mon.-Wed., Nov. 23-25, 2015 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS (Legal Holiday) Thurs.-Fri., Nov. 26-27, 2015 SCHOOL RESUMES Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 WINTER RECESS Mon.-Fri., Dec. 21, 2015-Jan. 1, 2016 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS (Local/Legal Holiday) Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 24-25, 2015 NEW YEAR’S DAY (Legal Holiday) Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 SCHOOL RESUMES Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY (Legal Holiday) Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 Final Exam Days, High School Tues.-Thurs., Jan. 19-21, 2016 End of First Semester (Middle & High School) Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016 First Semester Wrap-up Activities (Middle & High School) Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 Second Semester Begins Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 LINCOLN DAY (Legal Holiday) Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 WASHINGTON DAY (Legal Holiday) Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 End of First Progress Reporting Period (High School) Friday, Mar. 4, 2016 End of Second Progress Reporting Period (Elementary) Friday, Mar. 4, 2016 End of Third Quarter (Middle School) Friday, Mar. 25, 2016 SPRING HOLIDAY (Local Holiday) Monday, Apr. 4, 2016 SPRING RECESS Tues.-Fri., Apr. 5-8, 2016 SCHOOL RESUMES Monday, Apr. 11, 2016 End of Second Progress Reporting Period (High School) Friday, Apr. 22, 2016 MEMORIAL DAY (Legal Holiday) Monday, May 30, 2016 Final Exam Days, High School Tues.-Thurs., June 7-9, 2016 End of Second Semester (Secondary) Thursday, June 9, 2016 End of Third Progress Reporting Period (Elementary) Thursday, June 9, 2016 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Friday, June 17, 2016 FIRST DAY OF SUMMER SCHOOL Monday, June 20, 2016
2
ARMENTA EVENTS
Costume/
Pumpkin
Carving
Contest
On October 29th,
join us with your
carved pumpkins
and costumes. The best pumpkin and
costume will be given a prize!
Creative
Turkey
Contest
On November
19th, students
will have a
chance to win a
prize for the
most creatively
created turkey!
Canned Food
Drive
During the month
of November
students and staff
will work at put-
ting as many cans of food together as
possible to be donated to local food
banks to help the less fortunate.
Clothing/Toy Drive
During the month of
December students
and staff will work at
putting as many Toys
and clothes togeth-
er to donate to
Operation
Christmas
Child!
Please bring un wrapped toys and
clothes to ALA and make a difference.!
Book Drive
During the month of December we will
help The “I Am Foundation” with their
goal to provide
1,000,000
books in 2015.
Please bring any
books you have
that are new or
slightly used, to
ALA!
Keeping kids safe with the new school year is a number one priority.
BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY
AFTER SCHOOL TIPS
3
Here are some important safety tips to remember with the new school year.
♦ Make sure that your child has some way to contact you. A cell phone for use
after school or a trusted neighbor who can allow your child to make a call
are good things to have in place
♦ If your child walks to school, both you and your child should plan and know
the regular route your child will take. Make sure you plan the most direct
route keeping in mind intersections that use crossing guards. Advise your
children to stay away from vacant lots, fields or parks.
♦ Teach your kids to obey all traffic signals, signs, and traffic officers. Remind
them to take extra precaution when the weather is foggy.
♦ Make sure they walk to and from school with other kids; a friend, neighbor,
brother or sister.
♦ When carpooling, drop off and pick up children as close to the school as
possible. Make sure you are pulled to the curb and stopped before children
exit the vehicle. Don’t leave until they have entered the school.
♦ Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept gifts or rides.
♦ Avoid putting your child’s name on anything that is visible to others. This
would allow someone to call your child by name.
♦ Use the crosswalk. Remember the rule to look left, then right, then left again
before crossing if there is no crossing guard.
♦ Set up rules for locking doors and windows, answering the door or tele-
phone.
♦ Talk to your children about strangers and not to give the impression that
they are home alone after school.
♦ Make sure he/she checks in with you after school.
♦ Agree on rules for inviting friends over and for going to a friend’s house
when no adult is home.
♦ Take time to listen carefully to children’s fears and feelings about people or
places that make them feel uneasy. Trust their instincts.
Most important is to communicate these tips with your children and make sure
it’s clear you are both on the ‘same page’ as you start off the school year in a safe
manner. Communication and setting guidelines are the first step in prevention.
MEET OUR STAFF
4
JULIE M. ARMENTA, M.A. EDUCATIONAL & FAMILY SPECIALIST
I am the Founder, Educational and Fami-
ly Specialist at Armenta Learning Acade-
my. Since the age of 5, I have had the
dream of having my own school and im-
pacting the lives of children. After 10
years in public and private schools I saw a
need to make a place for students who
don’t fit into the “normal” school system.
I realized my dream in 1989 when I
opened Armenta Learning Academy and
we’ve been in business for 25 years. I have
my Bachelor’s in Psychology, my multiple
subject teaching credential, a Master’s in
Education, and I’m also completing my
Doctorate in Education. I am also a certi-
fied counselor for both students and fami-
lies. I started a shelter for abused and
abandoned teens in Chula Vista which
still exists today. I am a public speaker
and reach out to parents and the commu-
nity to instill values, techniques, and ap-
proaches for more success with their chil-
dren and within their families to impact
generations to come. I am also finishing
my book “Success for Every Child,” (the
parent manual we have all been waiting
for) which helps parents with the social,
academic, behavioral and general life
issues within the family unit. I am in-
volved with several organizations: Council
for Exceptional Children, Council for
Children with Behavioral Disorders,
Council for Special Education Adminis-
trators, the Council of Culturally and Lin-
guistically Diverse Exceptional Learners,
and Association for Dyslexia and Autism.
I am involved in the community with
volunteer work to help and support less
fortunate children with organizations
such as Families Forward, Olive Crest,
Kids Connected, and The Joyful Child
Foundation. I am available at ALA for
specialized assistance for students and
parents, private counseling, consulta-
tions, educational and family workshops
and support. My passion is to educate,
motivate, inspire, and empower all fami-
lies and children I come in contact with.
Thank you for allowing me the honor and
opportunity to work with you and your
precious children. It is truly a privilege
and honor! Contact me at: (949) 433-
0898
“My passion is to educate, motivate, inspire, and empower all families and children I come in contact with.”
BRUCE SMITH, LEAD TEACHER
Mr. Smith is our Lead Teacher at ALA.
He has been with ALA for 10 years. He
has a credential in Education. Mr. Smith
is fantastic with all subjects, but his spe-
cialties are Math and History. Mr. Smith
engages his students’ interest in every
subject with his personable and humor-
ous approach to teaching. His mother is
a professional story teller and teacher
and he is a 4th generation teacher. Mr.
Smith’s main focus and passion, is to
work with the students at ALA with life-
impacting issues that need the skills and
strategies to become responsible men &
women. in society. He is an excellent Life
Skills coach both on and off campus. He
impacts the lives of all the students by
always presenting a good role model of a
responsible, caring, and aware adult. He
is a proud father of two boys, and has 15
years experience working with youth. He
looks forward to the opportunity of
working with your children. We at ALA,
feel that it is important for our ALA stu-
dents to have a positive role model as
well as a safe place to turn in the process
of their maturing and development at
ALA. Mr. Smith provides that positive
role model with his unending encourage-
ment and support of all our students at
ALA. While Mr. Smith is our Lead Teach-
er by day, he is also our best after school
tutor. As well as teaching and tutoring
the students, Mr. Smith is available for
counseling for both the students and
their parents. He is a fabulous Social
Skills, Life Skills, Job Skills and Parent-
ing Skills coach. Mr. Smith is also an
enthusiastic leader for many of our
school clubs such as the Fishing Club and
Pet Education Club. He is also an en-
couraging physical trainer for the Ar-
menta Olympics & Games.
SUCCESS STORIES
“Mr. Smith, thank you so much for everything. I got one of the best grades on my final out of everyone in the class!”
~ Hailey
“Mrs. Armenta, you are a great teacher and we are glad to be your students!”
- Jacob and Isabella
“Mr. Smith, thank you for
helping me with Algebra
II and Trigonometry this
year. You really helped
me with all of my learn-
ing and tests. Thank for
your history lessons and
keeping me up to date
with the news.”
~Jack
Armenta Learning Academy is a great
school for parents who want a non-
traditional school system, there is a
lesser known curriculum at this school
that seems to be overlooked. Armenta
Learning Academy also hosts a Kinder
Readiness Program. Armenta Learning
Academy helps children overcome the
separation anxiety that most parents
face when the first days of school. Ar-
menta Learning Academy is a safe and
stimulating environment, great for
social and physical development nec-
essary for children, as well as the cog-
nitive and emotional development that
is expected by kindergarten.
While many parents today are unsure
of what to look for when deciding if
their child is ready for kindergarten,
Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts, Educa-
tional Specialists, have shard a basic
checklist that could be a great help.
This checklist covers the very basics of
what will be expected of a child start-
ing kindergarten:
∗ Listen to stories without inter-rupting
∗ Recognize rhyming sounds
∗ Pay attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks
∗ Understand actions have both causes and effects
∗ Show understanding of general times of day
∗ Cut with scissors
∗ Trace basic shapes
∗ Begin to share with others
∗ Start to follow rules
∗ Be able to recognize authority
∗ Manage bathroom needs
∗ Button shirts, pants, coats, and zip up zippers
∗ Begin to control oneself
∗ Separate from parents without being upset
∗ Speak understandably
∗ Talk in complete sentences of five to six words
∗ Look at pictures and then tell sto-ries
∗ Identify rhyming words
∗ Identify the beginning sound of some words
∗ Identify some alphabet letters
∗ Recognize some common sight words like “stop”
∗ Sort similar objects by color, size, and shape
∗ Recognize groups of one, two, three, four, and five objects
∗ Count to ten
∗ Bounce a ball
Armenta Learning Academy works
with the children so that when the
time comes, they are ready for seat
work with skill set to be successful in
the classroom.
KINDER READINESS
5
Ms. Pegram (right) is a
Sign language teacher and
has been with Armenta
Learning Academy for 5
years. She is a star teacher
and is loved by all!
STANDOUT STUDENTS
6
JULY STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Tanner Samuelian
Tanner is a college student
and has the best attitude
and effort while working
on his college courses. He
is very athletic and loves to
work out, swim and play
basketball.
MOST IMPROVED STUDENT
Zayne Patel
Zayne is a gifted and bril-
liant 5 year old kinder-
gartner who loves to learn
and reads above is grade
level. He has improved
immensely on his writing
and mathematics.
AUGUST STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Gitano Calentino
“Tano” is starting 2nd
grade this year. He
loves science class and
experiments. He has
raised his academics a
grade level with his hard
work this summer. We
are so proud of him!
BUBBLEGUM AND PLAY DOUGH CONTEST WINNER,
SEPTEMBER STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Anastasia Fayette
Anastasia is the winner of
both of our summer contests!
She is brilliant and creative
and she reads and writes
above grade level and she has
improved her math ability
and skill this summer. She is
ready for the 3rd grade!
ARMENTA FISHING
CLUB SUMMER 2015
Basic Manners & Etiquette Workshops / Social Skills Classes
Classes can be individualized and specialized to your child’s needs
♦ Appropriate Dress for various settings
♦ Personal grooming
♦ Handshaking - The Ultimate Greeting
♦ Introducing yourself and others - The Ultimate First Impression
♦ Responding to introductions
♦ Name tag etiquette
♦ Conversation skills
♦ How to remember names
♦ Body Language & Eye signals
♦ Thank you notes
♦ Netiquette - Cell phone and electronic etiquette
♦ Telephone manners
♦ Respecting cultural differences
♦ Being a thoughtful traveler - Travel etiquette
♦ General manners and common courtesies
♦ The Job interview
♦ Study, Time Management, and Test Taking Skills
SOCIAL SKILLS CLASSES BY JULIE M. ARMENTA M.A. EDUCATION & FAMILY SPECIALIST
7
SUMMER SCHOOL FUN!SUMMER SCHOOL FUN!SUMMER SCHOOL FUN!SUMMER SCHOOL FUN!
MEET THE ARMENTA MASCOTS
HANNAH & BRODY
Hannah Armenta & her son Brody are available for all your children’s & pet needs. They have lots of love for all of you! We use them for pet therapy, for both animals and humans.
ARMENTA PET ACADEMY
At Armenta Pet Academy we believe in estab-lishing a rapport with you and your pet to build trust and respect for a great experience with your pet. Training that should be stimulating and fun as well as enriching for your pet. We use positive reinforcement methods to get quick results. We will train in your home or you can have your pet stay with us short term for day school or long term for a new, improved pet for day school or boarding while you are away for great results.
Contact us at (949)433-0898 we accept emer-gency calls!
Custom Care & Training for Your Canine Family Member
Get quick results with house breaking, chewing, barking, jumping, digging, mouthing & more!!
◊ Private or group/In home or At Site
◊ Problem Solving
◊ Behavior Meditation
◊ Obedience Training
◊ On & Off Leash Training
◊ Personal & Family Protection
◊ Trauma Support/ Esteem Building
◊ Separation Anxiety, Pet Therapy
◊ Tricks & Performance Training
◊ Puppy Basic Skills Training
◊ Socialization/Field Trips Armenta Learning Academy
27665 Forbes Road, Suite #201 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Phone: (949)367-WISE (9473) Cell: (949)433-0898
[email protected] www.armentalearningacademy.com
FLASHBACK WITH ARMENTA!
Pictured on the left is Mrs. Armenta at the age of 8 years old. By this age, she already knew she wanted to work
with kids and be a teacher!
The photo on the right is Mrs. Ar-menta’s beautiful mother, Shari, with
one of our Armenta Pet Academy mascots, Hannah, when she was a puppy. This is one of our favorite
photos!
Shari Armenta