Hello, Glenoaks Families!

The science fair is coming up this week!  All projects are due on Wednesday, February 21st and the science fair will take place on Thursday, February 22nd.  During the day the students will all have a chance to come see the projects and then in the evening on Thursday we will have our Family Science Night!  At 5:30 Eagles Tacos will be parked out front ready to serve up dinner and starting at 6:00 the auditorium will open and the science fun will begin!  This event is a terrific way to spend the evening for everybody!  It is not just for students who created science projects - all are welcome!

You still have time to RSVP for the PTA Founders Day celebration on Saturday!  This year we will be honoring the award recipients at Mijares in Pasadena beginning at 11:00.  For more information please see the Glenoaks Website at www.glenoakselementary.org.

I want to put a few save the dates out there right now.  Save Tuesday, March 13th because that is our next dine out night at New Moon in Montrose.  And the big date I need you to set aside is Friday evening, April 27th.  This is the night of our 2018 GESF Gala!  It is going to be held at the Glen Arden Club this year and it will be an amazing night.  So set up babysitting now!  You won't want to miss it!

Mrs. Barber's class - it's your turn to help staff the Morning Valet drop off before school!  Just show up at 7:50, grab a stylish orange vest from the office, and help students out of cars.  It's that easy!  Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!

That's it for announcements, so now it's time for our question of the week.  What is the name of the first African American NASA astronaut to make it into outer space?  Get your answer along with your name and room number written on a piece of paper and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I've got, so as always I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Hello, Glenoaks Families!

I have to go on a Mr. Di Mundo Principal rant to start things off here.  Please be respectful of our neighbors!  Last week a parent parked in a red zone, in front of a fire hydrant, and blocking a portion of somebody's driveway.  Trying to leave to get to a medical appointment, the neighbor was unable to get their car out for nearly 15 minutes.  Another parent parked across the street in somebody's driveway blocking the entire sidewalk and walked across the street outside of the crosswalk to get their student.  On Friday alone I watched 3 illegal u-turns happen in or near the crosswalk and then watched another car drive directly over a green cone and drag it all the way down the street - despite the fact that the crossing guard and I were both motioning for the car to stop.  If it were only these few incidents, I would not be taking the time on a callout to say something.  These types of moves and decisions are illegal, disrespectful to the people who are a part of our community, and most important of all, they create very dangerous situations.  They have also been happening more frequently.

Please...allow time to patiently wait in line and load your students while in the cone zone.  Better yet, park up or down the street and walk to pick your student up in person.  This is a great time to chat with other families, say hello to me and Mrs. Stubbs, and it is also much more peaceful than waiting in a line of cars.  If you are having one of those days and you're running late or stuck in traffic, I get it...it's stressful...especially if you have to be someplace.  Don't make decisions, however, that endanger others and add to their stress.

My next topic is not a rant, but more of a public service announcement!  Do what you can to stop spreading germs!  While you're at school, or anywhere for that matter, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough but not with your hands!  Cover your mouth with your arm!  In my house we say cover like a vampire because it looks like you're pulling your cape over your face.  Go ahead - try it right now.  Cough into the crook of your arm...see?  You stopped your germs from spreading as much AND your hands are still clean!  Speaking of which, wash your hands every time after using the bathroom, or blowing your nose and before you eat.  The last way I'll recommend to help stop spreading germs is to stay home if you are sick - especially if you have a fever.  A general rule is to not come back to school until you have gone 24 hours without a fever.  We need our students at school, but not if they're sick!

Calling all girls in 3rd-6th grade!  Girls on the Run is happening soon!  If you haven't done this yet, you are missing out!  This group is a great chance for girls to have a blast together, exercise, and become emotionally stronger than before.  You do NOT have to be a good runner at all - this program is about so much more!  Go to www.gotrla.org to learn more an sign up.

I have a chorus reminder - this week only chorus is going back to Tuesday morning at 7:20 because of a scheduling conflict.  Next week, chorus will resume on Wednesdays.

Remember - no school tomorrow OR next Monday!  And orchestra students - leave your instruments home but keep practicing!

That's it for announcements so now it's time for our question of the week:  Besides being one of the fastest base runners in Dodger history, what was Jackie Robinson also famous for accomplishing?  Get your answer written on a piece of paper along with your name and room number and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I've got so as always, I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Hello, Glenoaks Families!

Do you have students in EEELP this year and want them to be re-enrolled next year?  Well now is your chance.  Complete your re-enrollment paperwork and get it turned in with your $30 registration fee by February 9th to guarantee your spot for next year!  New enrollments will be accepted starting on February 13th, and those spots will fill up quickly!

6th grade families, it's Tdap time!  In California the Tdap is a vaccine that you must have before you are allowed to attend 7th grade.  We are asking that everybody in 6th grade get this vaccination and bring in the proof of immunization to the office before we go to Camp Pali in May!  The class who gets 100% immunization first will get to decide what my hair will look like the entire week of camp.  I'm talking half shaved, dyed...whatever you come up with I'll do it.  So get those Tdaps done.

Speaking of camp, on Thursday at 4 pm we will be having an info night about Camp Pali for all 6th grade families.  Please attend this meeting if you have any concerns or questions about this amazing experience!!!

Friday, starting at 12:45, we will have our PTA Valentine Store open in front of the school until 3:00.  Don't forget to take advantage of this fun way to make a friend's day!

Hey parents in Mr. Amses' class - it's your week for the Morning Drop-off Valet!  Grab a vest from the lobby any morning this week at 7:50 and help keep our students safe by helping students out of cars.

That's it for announcements, so now it's time for our question of the week.  What planet is the largest in our solar system?  Get your answer written on a piece of paper along with your name and room number and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I've got, so as always, I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Hello, Glenoaks Families!

You heard from me quite a bit last week, so I'll keep it short this week!  Thank you for all of your support, however.  We had a great turnout for our Chipotle Dine-out night and raised nearly $700 for our school!  A lot of families and teachers made the bling sales and Family Disco Skate Night a huge success as well!  Thank you for supporting our school!

This is your last reminder that chorus is now officially being moved from Tuesday to Wednesday mornings at 8:20.  You still have time to join if you haven't done so!

On Thursday, February 8th at 4:00 we are having our first parent night for 6th grade families to learn about Camp Pali, our new 6th grade camp experience.  Meet staff from the camp and have all of your questions answered at this informative meeting.

Hey families in Mr. Hamo's class...guess what?  It's your turn to help staff the Morning Drop Off Valet!  Stop by any morning this week at 7:55, grab a vest from the office, and help students out of cars.  Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!

That's it for announcements, so now it's time for our question of the week:  What does it mean if the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, does not see his shadow on Groundhog Day?  Get your answer written on a piece of paper along with your name and room number and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I've got for now, so as always I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Hello, Glenoaks Families! 

On Friday, Dante Cerecedes fought an epic word battle with Keira Calleton to become the Glenoaks Spelling Bee Champion!  He will be representing our school on February 5th in the district spelling bee.  Congratulations, Dante!

We also had a couple other students making us proud in the Glendale Council PTA Reflections competition!  Valentina Covarrubias won first place in music composition for her song, "Friends are Within Reach" and Lily Taylor took 1st in middle school photography with her photograph "Love for All is Within Reach."  Congratulations!!!

This Tuesday night is our next Dine Out Night at Chipotle at 132 N. Glendale Avenue!  The fundraising portion lasts this time from 4:00 - 8:00.  Let's fill that place up!  Did I mention their queso sauce last week?  Yes.  Yes I did.  But it's so good it's worth mentioning twice!  Chipotle will give back 50% of what we spend during those 4 hours, so let's make some money for our school!

You still have time to buy tickets to the Family Disco Skate Night on Friday evening at Moonlight Rollerway.  This event lasts from 6-8 pm and tickets are $20 each if you buy them before Friday.  You will have one last opportunity to purchase tickets at the Golden Oak Ceremony on Friday for the reduced price.  They will be $25 at the door that evening.  Come show off your disco moves and skate the night away!

One other very easy way to make money for our school is to bring in those Boxtops for Education!  You won't be getting fliers sent home any longer because the only paper we want to send out for this fundraiser is the boxtops themselves!  We've already made over several hundred dollars this year, so keep them coming in!  Remember:  Boxtops that are cut out along those pink dotted lines are each worth two towards the monthly class competition.

We are going to make a chorus change for this next session.  Mrs. Abbot has agreed to change chorus to Wednesday mornings beginning at 8:20!  It is not too late to join, so if that date and time work better for your family, hopefully Mrs. Abbot will see you on Wednesday morning in the auditorium at 8:20!  The Tuesday chorus class will still take place this week, but from now on, chorus will all move to Wednesday mornings.

Ms. Grigorian's class - we're back to 6th grade parents!  It's your turn to help staff the morning drop off valet!  Come to the office, grab a vest, and help get students out of cars this week.  It really is a fun way to start your morning and you get to help keep our students safe!

That's it for announcements, so now it's time for the question of the week:  Is curling an event in the Winter Olympics that requires you to lift weights or use brooms?  Get your answer written on a piece of paper along with your room number and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I've got for now, so as always, I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Hello, Glenoaks Families!

We have a lot coming up this month, so let's get right to it!

If you were lucky enough to hear our chorus perform this year in the mornings before school or at the performance, you know how wonderful they were.  Don't miss out on this great opportunity!  There is still plenty of time to sign up even though rehearsals start this week.  They will take place every Tuesday morning from 7:20 until 7:50 and the performance is on April 17th.  Mrs. Abbot puts on an amazing experience for our students!

Thursday evening is our next PTA meeting Game Night!  This is a fun event where you get to take part in PTA business and play all sorts of crazy fun games!  I hope to see you at 6:00 pm on Thursday for this fun family evening.

This Friday is our next Kona Ice Foundation event after school.  Bring some extra cash for that icy treat to start your weekend!

The next big Foundation event is coming up on Friday, January 26th.  It's our 2nd annual Glenoaks Roller Skating Fundraiser!  If you pay in advance tickets are $20 per person.  That includes admission and skate rental...but you do need to pay the $20 even if you're not going to skate!  It IS a fundraiser!  See the Green Sheet and our website at http://www.glenoakselementary.org to pay online or to find the flier to send payment to school.

This week is Yellow Ribbon Week to focus on the idea of being kind and respectful to others.  I will be challenging you each day this week, and your challenge for tomorrow is to bring a note to school to give to somebody telling them something kind.  It can be a compliment or simply a motivational statement.  It could be to a friend, teacher, or somebody you don't even know very well!  Just picture what it would be like to get a note like that and how good it might make you feel!

Hey Ms. G's class - it's your turn to staff the morning drop-off valet this week!  Grab a vest from the office and help keep our students safe!

That's all I have for announcements, so now it's time for our question of the week.  Where will the 2018 Winter Olympics be held this year?  Get your answer written on a piece of paper along with your name and room number and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I've got, so as always I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Hello, Glenoaks Families!

Happy New Year!  I hope your vacation was as fun and restful as mine.  We really are soaring at Glenoaks, but I hope that 2018 takes us to new heights!  I'm looking forward to seeing you all this week!  

This is actually a pretty calm week as far as activities.  On Friday we have our next PTA-sponsored assembly performed by the LA Opera!  I'm VERY excited about this cultural experience.

Hey families in Mrs. Hernandez and Mrs. McPhillips' class - it's your turn to staff the drop off valet service in the morning!  Thank you for helping to keep our students safe.

Other than that I don't have much else for you, so let's move on to the question of the week.  What is the name of the parade that Pasadena hosts each year on New Years Day?  Get your answer written on a piece of paper along with your name and room number and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I've got, so as always, I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Hello, Glenoaks Families!

Wow!  What a carnival!  I would like to thank everyone in the Glenoaks Elementary School Foundation in addition to anyone else who helped put on this event!  Yes, we made money for the foundation which will in turn invest in something that will benefit all of our students, but that carnival was also a complete blast!  What a great evening it was, but I'm still waiting to completely dry out.  A lot of you had better aim than I'd expected...

This Wednesday is the 2017 Walktober event!  Our district participates in this international event to help promote the idea of walking instead of driving to school!  We will have groups of people walking from three separate locations:  Glenoaks Park, the Self Realization Fellowship Temple at 2146 E. Chevy Chase and the Adventist Book Center at 1501 E. Chevy Chase across from the hospital.  Walking will start from each of those locations at 8:10 in the morning, and we will all meet at school where we will have a fun gathering out in front with the Glendale Fire Department.  Coffee will be available for adults and treats will be provided for all who participate in this walk to school event!

We are bringing the boxtop fundraiser back!  Be sure to bring in those box top coupons you'll find on boxes of food and other items!  Each one of those is 10 cents for our school - it's such an easy fundraiser!  In addition, we will be having competitions to see which classes can bring in the most!  So don't recycle them - bring them to school!

There are are few events coming up I want to be sure you know about.  The first of these is the Reflections award ceremony on Thursday, October 12th.  This will be the evening when we honor all the students who participated in the PTA Reflections event this year.  I saw some very amazing creations put together by our students!  Be sure not to miss this event!

On Monday, October 16th we will have a Parent Night where you will be able to learn about PBIS and enVision - our new district math program!  You will hear more about this event next week, but be sure to set that evening aside for this adults only evening.

Each year we hold a few movie nights that have always been put on by the 6th grade committee to help support events throughout the year.  The first of these movie nights will be on Friday, October 20th.  The movie has not been selected yet, but I wanted you to be able to set the evening aside.  It's always a very fun community event!

Alright, families in Mr. Glandian's class - it's your turn this week to help staff the morning drop-off valet!  You have some tough competition because Mrs. Nicoll's class had several people out in front of the school and in the back drop off each morning last week...and the drop off was more efficient than ever!  Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!

That's all for announcements, so now it's time for our question of the week:  The United States Government is divided into three separate branches in order to maintain a balance of power.  What is the name of each of those branches?  Get your answer written on a piece of paper along with your name and room number, and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I've got, so as always I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Good evening, Glenoaks Families!

Well this is it!  The GESF Carnival Fundraiser is on Friday!  Come one, come all!  The weather is forecast to be PERFECT for me to sitting in a dunk tank!  I'm not sure anyone out there has good enough aim to hit the target that'll send me into the water, but for $5 you can prove me wrong!  So far you'll have a chance to try to send me, Mr. Hamo, Ms. Maynes, Mrs. Soghomonian, Mrs. Newman, Ms. Holden, and Mrs. Grigorian into the water, so let's see what you've got!  Rumor has it that Mr. Glandian is considering sitting in the booth too, but I haven't been able to confirm that yet.

The carnival will begin at 5:30 and run until 9:30!  Come enjoy the rides, food trucks, cake walk, bake sale, glow booth and all the fun we'll have just getting together!  Bracelets for the big rides are now $45.  You can still buy them with cash or check using the order forms until Thursday OR on Wednesday after school and Thursday before school you will be able to purchase them using cash, check or credit card!

We also need cakes for the cake walk!  You can bring peanut-free home made or store-bought cakes to the office on Friday any time before 4:30!

I'll see you on Friday morning at our next Golden Oak Ceremony!  Come early to get your seats to see 6th grade perform!

Mrs. Nicoll's class, it's your turn to cover the morning valet!  Get your orange vest in the office and help keep our students safe!

That's it for announcements, so now it's time for our question of the week:  Which is harder - a professional baseball or professional softball?  Get your answer written on a piece of paper along with your room number and bring it down to the office.

Well that's all I have, so as always I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo

Hello, Glenoaks Families!

The Glenoaks Elementary School Foundation Carnival Fundraiser is in two weeks on September 29th!  I'm hoping you are are going to be able to join us!  The rides are bigger and better and three amazing food trucks will be there (including Tommy's Burgers of course).  We'll also have our super-competitive cake walk, the glow booth, a bake sale, cotton candy, and snow cones.  Oh...and did I mention the dunk tank?  That's RIGHT!  For $5 you can have two throws to send somebody into the dunk tank.  It could even be your teacher!  Or your principal!

Coming to check out the carnival doesn't cost you a cent.  You can join us from 5:30 to 9:30 just to soak up the atmostphere!  If you'd like to ride the rides however, you will need to purchase ride wristbands this year.  Wristbands are $45 each, but if you purchase your wristbands by this Friday, September 22nd, we have decided to drop the cost to $40!  (If you already purchased your wristbands at the full cost, you will receive a refund.)  This week you can pay with cash or checks made payable to GESF.  Next week you will have a few opportunities to purchase tickets before or after school using cash check OR credit card.  

Please remember that this carnival is a fundraising event for the Glenoaks Elementary School Foundation.   Even if you just show up to spend $5.00 to send me into a dunk tank and a little bit more to win a cake, you will have a great time AND help us raise money for Glenoaks - money that gets to directly benefit ALL of our students.  For instance very soon we are going to have drop down shades installed around our lunch benches to keep our students protected from the sun when it is especially hot or when it rains!  This gift from GESF is possible because of the generosity of our families regardless of the amount.  So please keep gifts to our students like that in mind when thinking about the cost of events like this carnival.

Now, you know how I just mentioned the cake walk?  Well...WE NEED CAKE!  Please donate your favorite nut-free cake for the GESF Carnival Cake Walk!  We need all kinds of cakes to make the cake walk successful!  You can bring cakes to the front office on Friday, September 29th any time before 5:00 pm!  That night be sure to stop by the Cake Walk in the Kinder Yard to see who wins your cake - or try to win one yourself!  Please remember to keep any cake you purchase or make nut-free.

Don't forget that PTA Reflections projects are due this coming Friday, September 22nd.  We can't wait to see the students' creative interpretation of this year's theme, "Within Reach."  Visit the Glenoaks website at www.glenoakselementary.org for contest rules and entry forms.

This is your last chance to sign up for Girls on the Run!  Girls from 3rd - 6th grade I hope you check this program out!  I can guarantee you will have a great time learning all sorts of amazing things about yourself that will help build personal strength and confidence!  Go to gotrla.org for more information and if money is an issue, all you have to do is call their organization and they will be more than happy to find a way to get you involved.

You still have time to join chorus too!  For the first time Mrs. Abbot is offering a free chorus program for all 3rd - 6th grade students!  It meets on Tuesdays at 7:20 in the auditorium and they will have a winter performance before winter break!  Take advantage of this great opportunity!

This Friday from 2:00 to 3:00, Kona Ice will be out in front of the school!  Bring a few dollars if you'd like to start next weekend off with some shaved ice, and this generous company donates 20% of what they sell right back to us.

Mrs. Barber's class - it's your turn for the morning drop-off valet this week!  Last week we had several parents helping out and it made the drop off so much smoother!  Thank you for your support, and remember - even if you're not in Mrs. Barber's class please do not hesitate to grab a vest and help out if you have the time!

That's all I have for announcements, so now it's time for our question of the week.  What is the name of the satellite that spent over 13 years orbiting Saturn until it crashed on the surface last week?  Get the answer along with your name and room number written on a piece of paper and bring it down to the office.

Well that's about it, so as always I'd like to remind you all:  Don't just fly...SOAR!

Sincerely,

Mr. Di Mundo