Bear Tracks
January 23, 2025
Dear Gardner Bullis Community,
Happy Friday! I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. On Tuesday, our staff engaged in a meaningful day of professional development, anchored in the LASD Student Experience and the many ways we build rich learning experiences for all students. Our staff dove into sessions such as Developing a Culture of Thinking, Learning to Learn, Feedback that Empowers, Designing for Learner Curiosity, and much more! We were excited to welcome students back on Wednesday and launch into a short, but learning-packed week. On Wednesday afternoon, our staff also participated in their CPR and AED recertification class after school. Thank you to our PTA for funding this course for our staff!
February 6th Coffee With the Principal (Guest Speaker Greg Drummond): Los Altos School District invites families to learn more about mathematics instruction today, including the updated 2023 California Mathematics Framework and our adoption of a new K–5 math curriculum. This 30-minute session will explain why math classrooms may look different than many adults remember, what research tells us about how children learn mathematics, and how those ideas shape LASD’s instructional vision, with an emphasis on inquiry, reasoning, discussion, and productive struggle. The session with Mr. Drummond will conclude with a brief update on the K–5 curriculum adoption process and how it aligns with our commitment to purposeful, connected, and challenging math learning for all students.
Gardner Bullis Spelling Bee: The Gardner Bullis Spelling Bee is Tuesday, February 3rd. You can register HERE or on Classroom Parent!
LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR Illuminate LASD (1/28): Students must register using the Intent to Participate Form by January 28th- this is an extension from the original deadline. In addition to exploring the exhibitions of learning from our LASD students, all students, families, and community members are also invited to visit interactive stations hosted by each school and LASD district programs.
When: Friday, March 27th from 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Where: Blach Intermediate School (1120 Covington Road, Los Altos CA 94024)
The event features:
LASD student exhibitions of learning
Hands on experiences for all ages designed to inspire curiosity, collaboration, and creative problem-solving
Food trucks the whole family can enjoy
We invite you to share in this experience that celebrates student curiosity, creativity, and agency! Let’s go, Grizlies! If you have any questions, visit https://tinyurl.com/illuminateLASD or email Grace Choi (gchoi@lasdschools.org).
Math Resources: Problem of the Month Club is Back! Each month, students will be able to pick up a new Problem of the Month in the library. These problems are designed to promote problem solving and encourage students to delve deeper into mathematics. Students also have access to simpler Problems of the Week (through the Math Olympiads Website). These resources are compiled for students in this document, which will be linked on Bear Tracks each week! Please take a look, and encourage your students to challenge themselves with these math resources. As we approach CAASPP season (state testing) , there is also a link to CAASPP practice test questions.
Yard Duties: We would love to have you volunteer! If you have extra time in your day and would like to join us for lunch (12:00-12:45), you are welcome, you are appreciated, and you are needed! (Plus, you get to wear the stylish orange vests and fanny packs.)
As part of the Universal Meals Program, LASD provides 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch each
school day for all students. Based on availability, students may request a second meal. Please
note that second meals are to be purchased at the following prices:
Breakfast: $3.50
Lunch $5.50
LINQ Connect is a simple, secure online platform for managing second meal
purchases. Parents/guardians can easily set up an account and add funds for their child as needed.
Getting Started with LINQ Connect:
1. Download the LINQ Connect app from your app store or visit the LINQ Connect webpage.
2. Click Register to create your free account.
3. Verify your email address to log in.
3. Add your child to your account and begin making payments.
Need help? Contact: support@linqconnect.com, 844-467-4700, or live chat at linqconnect.com
Living Classroom Docent Training
9:30am-12:30pm Mondays 1/26 & 2/2
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/or 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 1/12, 1/26 and 2/2 at the LASD iLearn Studio for our Winter Docent Training. If Mondays don't work for you, please ask us about our apprentice-style training option. Questions? Please email livingclassroom@lasdschools.org or call 650-947-1103. Check us out at LivingClassroomLASD.org!
Join The Parent Connection Community
Presenters: Kathy Day-Bobb and Amairany Santos
Are you looking for more support in helping your child succeed as a learner? We invite you to join our online Parent Connection Community, facilitated by semi-retired LASD teacher Kathy Day-Bobb and Amairany Santos, a Spanish-speaking teacher. Sessions will explore topics such as supporting homework routines, literacy development, and building conceptual understanding in math.
Beginning on January 27, the ongoing Parent Connection Community sessions will take place every other Tuesday from 7:00–7:40 pm. Sessions will be online in English. Spanish sessions will be held in person at the Almond Elementary library.
We would LOVE for you to join us for our sessions! HERE is a link to the overview of what different topics the Parent Connection Sessions will offer. Please use this slide deck to help guide you to log in to our Zoom sessions.
If you are joining in English, you may also use THIS LINK to join for our first session: Establishing a Positive Home to School Relationship While Navigating the Home Learning Experience (geared towards grades 2 - 6 parents)
We are looking forward to connecting with as many of you as possible! Reach out to Kathy Day-Bobb at kday-bobb@lasdschools.org if you have any questions. Thank you.
Invitación a La Conexión de Padres
Presentadoras: Kathy Day-Bobb y Amairany Santos
¿Busca más apoyo para que su hijo/a tenga éxito como estudiante? Le invitamos a unirse a nuestra Comunidad de Conexión para Padres en línea, facilitada por Kathy Day-Bobb, maestra semi-jubilada del LASD, y Amairany Santos, maestra hispanohablante. Las sesiones explorarán temas como el apoyo a las rutinas de tarea, el desarrollo de la lectoescritura y la construcción de la comprensión conceptual en matemáticas.
A partir del 27 de enero, las sesiones de la Comunidad de Conexión para Padres se llevarán a cabo cada dos martes de 7:00 p.m. a 7:40 p. m. Las sesiones serán en línea en inglés. Las sesiones en español se realizarán presencialmente en la biblioteca de la Escuela Primaria Almond.
¡Nos encantaría que nos acompañara en nuestras sesiones! AQUÍ encontrará un enlace con un resumen de los diferentes temas que se ofrecerán en las Sesiones de Conexión para Padres. Utilice esta presentación para iniciar sesión en nuestras sesiones de Zoom. Si se unen en inglés, también pueden usar ESTE ENLACE para nuestra primera sesión: Cómo establecer una relación positiva entre el hogar y la escuela durante la experiencia de aprendizaje en casa (dirigido a padres de 2.º a 6.º grado).
¡Esperamos conectar con la mayor cantidad posible de ustedes! Si tienen alguna pregunta, pueden contactar a Kathy Day-Bobb en kday-bobb@lasdschools.org. Gracias.
Learning Challenges events for Fall 2025
For local coverage of issues related to learning challenges and special education, please check out the Learning Challenges Committee https://sites.google.com/view/learning-challenges-committee
Missed past Parent Education events?
We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including the recent talk on Assistive Technology, info summer camps and recreational activities, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Learning Challenges, SMART Goals and IEP Troubleshooting, and more. Channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuy7IcVz-4LTDxv2Jaq13nw