October: - October 8: Minimum Day, Dismissal at 12:30pm
- October 9: Staff Development Day - NO SCHOOL
- October 11: LASD Board Candidate Forum - 5pm @ Blach
- October 12: First Dine Support @ State of Mind - 4-9pm
- October 15: Great Shake Out Drill - Lunch starts @ 1:09pm
- October 16: End of Quarter 1
- October 23: PTA Meeting - 8:45-10:15am @ Room D3
- October 23: Leadership Dance - 6-8pm @ the Multi
November: - November 9-13: 8th Grade Yosemite Trip
- November 11: Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
- November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
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Dear Falcon Families,
Lessons from Challenge Day This Monday and Tuesday, Blach 8th graders participated in their Challenge Day. This full day experience provided students the opportunity to connect and reflect, build empathy and compassion and challenge themselves to be the change they want to see in the world.
For all the participants (including the many caring adult volunteers we had assist on those days) the takeaways and salient points were plentiful. One of the main points, which I wish to share with you all is that, as humans, we tend to suppress our real emotions. The Challenge Day facilitators used the analogy of a balloon. Throughout the day, we often will blow our emotions into a balloon, suppressing what we really are feeling. These emotions can be anxiety, frustration, anger or fear. But, we also will blow feelings of joy, excitement and pride into our balloon.
From ages 0 to 5, humans are uninhibited in showing their emotions; anyone who has ever spent any time with a toddler can attest that tiny humans have no problem expressing their feelings! As we grow older, as we project our image of what others want or expect of us, we are less inclined to express our true emotions. So, our balloon fills and fills.
There are a variety of ways to express our emotions and let out our balloons. Hopefully, we have a close friend or family member we can talk to about our feelings. Listening to music, playing sports and creating art are also healthy ways to express ourselves.
I bring this to your attention for a couple of reasons. First, I encourage you to explore ways in which your family members can express themselves in healthy ways. Open the doors to conversations with the young people in your household that allow them to talk about their feelings. And, be sure that those conversations are not solely based on just what is happening at school. Secondly, I want to encourage you, the adult caregivers, to also find healthy ways to express your emotions. What are the healthy ways you can let some air out of your balloon?
We know that self-care is so critical in order to take care of others. We often are so focused on making sure our kids feel safe to express themselves, that we tend to forget that we, the adults, also need to share, create, connect, and be human.
I hope you find some time this weekend to express your humanity.
Sincerely, Wade Spenader- Principal |
Please check out the details below on this year’s first Dine-Support-Connect event by the Blach PTA at State of Mind Public House & Pizzeria in Los Altos on Monday, October 12, from 4–9 PM! |
Parent Checklist
✅ Please mark your calendars for the next Blach PTA general meeting on Friday, October 23 in Blach classroom D3.
✅ Please go through the Back-to-School workflow at https://www.lasdeducationpartners.org/, where you can (1) donate to Los Altos Education Foundation, where your donations directly benefit Blach students, then (2) join the Blach PTA and donate to support the Blach PTA.
✅ If you’ve donated to LAEF, but didn’t continue to Step 2 to join/donate directly to the Blach PTA, or if you’re choosing not to donate to LAEF but still want to join/donate directly to the Blach PTA, you can click here.
✅ Show your school spirit and purchase Blach spirit wear here.
You can follow the Blach PTA on Instagram here.
Go Falcons! |
Join the Blach PTA for Blach’s very first Dine–Support–Connect event at State of Mind Public House & Pizzeria in Los Altos!
When: Monday, October 12, from 4–9 PM Who: All Blach families and friends are welcome! Where: State of Mind Public House & Pizzeria, 101 Plz N, Los Altos (includes online pickup orders and delivery through their website—excludes DoorDash)
Order food and beverages in person or online and use promo code FALCONS at checkout. State of Mind will donate 15% of your purchase to the Blach PTA to support future community events.
We can’t wait to see you there! |
Are you interested in participating in the Holiday Faire, where you can create and sell your own products?
(Note: Parent signatures are required on printed contracts) |
Please email Michele or Steven if you are able to coach or if you have any questions:
Season 3 - December 11-January 29 8th Grade Girls' Soccer
Season 4 - February 12-March 5 7th Grade Girls' Basketball
Season 5 - March 15-April 30 Track and Field (5-6 coaches) |
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Register your wrestler through Los Altos Parks & Recreation. Click Here |
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. |
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Join the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) board members, principals, and parents from every school, and LASD leadership for a night of texting and calling to raise funds for specialized teachers, essential programs, and materials to benefit every TK-8th grade student this school year.
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Hey Falcon Parents!
If you weren't in the Quad on Tuesday, you missed out on Thrive & Vibe's first event of the school year: Slime Time!
Students gathered in the grass area during lunch and moved through different hands-on stations as they crafted their own fluffy slime. It got messy, but it was an absolute blast—who knew we had so many Slime Experts on campus?
A Big Falcon Shoutout!
Special thanks to Mr. Molskness, our AWESOME leadership students (Charis, Desmond, Weiling, Annika, Mirae, Sonia, and Adi) for helping anyone who needed a hand, and our Yearbook crew for capturing all the fabulous moments!
Why Slime?
You might wonder why we made slime! Beyond being fun, slime-making serves as a powerful sensory and emotional regulation tool:
- Stress Relief & Mindfulness: Crafting slime gives students a quick mental break, allowing them to focus on tactile details (touch, sight, and sound) to lower stress and stay grounded in the moment.
- Self-Regulation: Manipulating slime helps students practice emotional control and release pent-up energy, especially during times of frustration or overstimulation.
- Problem-Solving & Resilience: The unpredictability of slime-making teaches kids to adapt their recipe, cope with minor setbacks, and tweak their strategy when things don’t go as planned.
- Sensory Engagement: Whether gooey, crunchy, or smooth, slime provides a supportive tactile experience for students with sensory sensitivities.
It got a little messy, but we did it! .
From the desk of M❤️ Mo Graves Mental Health Therapist |
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. |
ENJOY 10% OFF YOUR ORDER CODE: F2610OFF EXPIRES JULY 31, 2027
Terms & Conditions: Offer is only available on portraits ordered online through July 31, 2027 at 11:59pm CST. Use coupon code F2610OFF to receive 10% off your order. Enter the coupon code at checkout to redeem the offer. Not valid for adjustments on prior purchases or after the promotional period, or with any other offer. Products, prices, availability, and offers are subject to change without notice. Shutterfly Lifetouch, LLC has the right to cancel an order due to altered, unauthorized, or ineligible use of discount. |
Beginning this school year, LASD is introducing a new Volunteer Authorization Process that provides one consistent system for all school volunteers. The new process builds on procedures already in place for certain volunteer roles and aligns with updated California law and district policy.
To make the process as simple as possible, volunteers are grouped into three levels based on the type of volunteer work they perform. Most classroom volunteers who are always under the supervision of an LASD staff member will complete a straightforward application and tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment or testing. Volunteers who may work independently with students or transport students (including after school sports) will complete additional requirements appropriate to those roles.
- An overview of the three volunteer levels
- Information about whether you are considered a visitor or a volunteer
- Step-by-step instructions for each volunteer level
- Links to all required forms and resources
To provide families with plenty of time to complete the new requirements, volunteers will have until December 30, 2026, to complete the authorization process. |
Please let the office know by 9am each day your student will be out by one of the following methods:
- Complete the Absence/Appointment Reporting Form
- Call the attendance line at 650-934-3838
- For last minute appointments, call the office at 650-934-3800 so we can send a dismissal pass to their class. (A parent or someone on your student's emergency contacts list must pick up your student.)
NOTE: Notifications will be sent out via ParentSquare at 10:30am instead of School Messenger. You will receive a notification if your student was marked absent and we have not heard from parents regarding the reason.
If you child is going to be late, please drop them off at the front office as they need to sign in and get a pass before they return to class. |
- Each student may utilize a maximum of 15 ISP days per school year
- Please notify the office of the dates of absence 1 week prior to leaving. We request advance notice so teachers can prepare materials
- All Independent Study Plans are subject to principal approval
- Work MUST be completed during the absence and returned to school on the student's first day back in class
- Parent to initiate the 2026-27 ISP Agreement form, then we will give the paperwork to the student to get the assignments from the teachers.
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